MP Philip Dunne has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) calling for the government to postpone the Business Rate revaluation for petrol stations. In the EDM, the Conservative MP for Ludlow, in Shropshire, said independent forecourts were under threat from the new Business Rates, adding the

Euro Garages plans to spend £6m to give a motorway services on the M61 a major overhaul after getting the green light from Chorley Borough Council. The Top 50 Indies retailer said it aimed to start work in the spring after gaining permission to refurbish the northbound and southbound areas of Bolton West Services.

MP Philip Dunne has joined retailers in their fight against the new Business Rates, calling for the revaluation to be postponed. The Conservative MP for Ludlow in Shropshire said the anticipated increases under the new rating methodology were unfair and threatened the livelihood of retailers.

Retailers are being urged to write to their MPs to air their objections about the new Business Rates scheme. Brian Madderson, the new chairman of RMI Petrol, is also urging those retailers who are either lessors of a service station, or are renting their forecourt to other operators, to provide on a confidential basis what could prove to be extremely valuable information regarding rental costs. "We need to get a broader picture of what petrol filling station rental values are," explained Madderson,

It was snow joke for retailers battling against the elements as Britain was gripped by the big chill. Many had to go and buy basic goods and deliver them to sites themselves

The Association of Convenience Stores is concerned by the recommendations of the Health Select Committee's report into alcohol, which includes a range of

DCC buys Brogans DCC plc, the business support services group, which bought Bayford Oil last year, has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital

Spar UK has announced strong results for Christmas with total convenience store sales rising by 10.39% since December 14, according to Jerry

When Rohan Xavier took ownership of Windermere Service Station, his priority was to renew the site's fuel agreement with Gulf Retail.

Well, what a chilly start to the year which hadn't looked all that welcoming, what with the battle over Business Rates, potential fuel problems, the economy lurching from one disaster to another, and a general election on the horizon.

Fame at last for Forecourt Trader magazine, which made an appearance as the 'guest' publication on an episode of 'Have I Got News For You', just before Christmas.

In light of reports that vehicles have broken down after filling up with E5 fuel, has your site experienced any similar contamination issues?

As we launched ourselves into a new year as well as a brand new decade you could have been forgiven for not cracking open the champers. With taxes

GENERAL APPEARANCE: This Jet forecourt and Spar shop on the Barnhorn Road at Bexhill-on-Sea only opened a couple of months ago. The site had been derelict for five years.

Well at least he left the VAT rate alone...

Heading them off at the pass

Like a knight on a white horse Brian Madderson has charged into view to boost the dwindling reputation of the Petrol Retailers Association and give it some direction and leadership.

Gulf dealers have been reassured that everything is ‘business as usual’ since the sale last October of Bayford Oil – which operates the Gulf franchise in the UK – to an emerging force in the oil market, GB Oils Ltd, part of the DCC Group. The £22.5 million deal was done with barely a ripple. 
GB Oils

Independent Dealer 10 sites or more

Site with a licence to sell Alcohol

Industry experts say that forecourt operators are not taking the introduction of biofuels, and the problems associated with them, seriously enough.

According to research done a few years ago by Pathfinder, car journeys were the single biggest consumption occasion for mints, while Cadbury research carried out last year found that travelling accounts for 21.4% of chewing gum occasions second only to work. What is more, 29% of gum users keep gum supplies in their car. All this is great news for forecourt retailers and you can easily see why mints and gum earn their places so close to the till in so many outlets.

Plenty of demand but not enough supply that seems to be the general opinion of experts on the current state of the forecourt property sector. And there are a wide variety of factors behind this situation.

It's best to think small when it comes to laundry, meaning concentrates are big business for forecourts. Not only does it tap into the convenience top-up trend but it gives retailers the chance to maximise the use of shelf space.

MRH (GB) has named Amscreen as its exclusive digital signage partner. The close proximity signage units will be installed across the Top 50 Indies retailer's sites as part of a five-year deal.

SATO UK has launched a new tag printer, the DR3, to cater for what it says is the retail market's increasing need for more visible and flexible price marking and in-store promotions.

WashTec has developed a tool to help independent retailers understand what the impact of the government's new Business Rates system is likely to be on their business.

Murco Petroleum has chosen Hampshire-based waste management specialist Cleansing Service Group (CSG) for a major forecourt-servicing contract. According to Murco, CSG will be cleaning forecourt and car wash interceptors as well as the silt traps and associated surface and underground drainage channels and gullies.

Dresser Wayne has been awarded the International Standards Organisation 14001 certification for major locations in North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

The first Kit Kats to carry the Fairtrade mark in the UK and Ireland will appear from this month. According to Nestlé, the move follows the October launch of Nestlé's global Cocoa Plan which represents a £65m investment over the next 10 years in programmes to address the key economic, social and environmental issues facing cocoa farming communities.

Wrigley's 5 chewing gum is back on TV from mid January. The ads for the electro and cobalt variants are designed to bring to life the brand's proposition of 'Stimulate Your Senses'.

Astra Automotive has launched a new Motoring Winter Kit which it says contains the highest quality screen wash concentrate, de-icer and robust ice scraper.

Jet has reconfigured and revamped its engine oils as the JetMax range which it says is designed to "easily clarify performance and applications to help drivers choose the right product". As well as giving the range a fresh look, Jet has introduced a new product JetMax Pro 5W30, and is replacing the existing 4ltr bottle with 5ltr at no extra cost to the consumer.

Walkers has brought four of its leading single serve snack brands together under a new '99 Calories or Less' banner. The range comprises Quavers, Wotsits, Squares and French Fries. There are also new pack designs to coincide with a 'New Year New Me' consumer message.

Ferrero is launching Kinder Mini Eggs for spring 2010. The individually-wrapped eggs are described as a shell of Kinder chocolate with a milky hazelnut centre. With a rrp of £1.19 per bag, Ferrero says they are perfect as a portion-controlled treat or for use in Easter Egg hunts.

Cadbury has launched a Cadbury Creme Egg display competition for independent retailers. There are three national prizes to be won with the first place winner receiving a prize worth £7,000 plus 28 regional rewards worth £500 each.

WKD has produced a set of Valentine's Day posters designed to guide men through the pitfalls surrounding the most romantic day of the year.

Lucozade Sport has announced it will be joint sponsor, with Hyundai, of ITV's World Cup 2010 coverage. Lucozade Sport will be the official sport drink of Team England, and Hyundai, the official car partner of the FIFA World Cup 2010. As such they will be ITV's exclusive joint broadcast, online, interactive and mobile sponsors.

Gatorade is launching an on-pack-promotion called 'Gatorade Gives Back' which aims to recognise and reward the effort individuals at all levels put into their sport and active life.

Boost Drinks has launched a new 99p stimulation shot which it says is the lowest-priced shot on the market. The Boost shot is a blend of caffeine and natural extracts of ginseng and guarana.

Marlboro has launched a metallic 'soft pack' variant of Marlboro Red. Available from next month, the packs available in 20s pack with the rrp of regular Marlboro products.

New Pot Noodle in a Mug soup, rrp 49p, is aimed at women who want a mid-morning snack. It will benefit from the £8m marketing support package for Pot Noodle in 2010.

To help encourage forecourt sales in 2010, Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) is giving readers the chance to win Relentless Energy Shots. There are five prizes available each one comprising three cases of the Shots.

Firestar Energy Booster is described as a revolutionary sherbet confection that has been developed to provide long-lasting energy with none of the inconvenience of drinks.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) is launching a new advertising campaign for Ariel Excel Gel which it says aims to champion an endorsement by independent consumer group Which? of its powerful cleaning credentials.

To support Hula Hoops' new promotion in partnership with Sport Relief, consisting of TV and digital advertising, on-pack promotion, in-store activity and PR, United Biscuits is giving readers the chance to win cases of Hula Hoops.

I have worked for Mace Approach, a BP site in Andover, Hampshire, for six years and I love it. I was extremely chuffed last year to win the forecourt category of the Sales Assistant of the Year awards run by Forecourt Trader's sister publication Convenience Store. The judges said really nice things about me such as how hardworking, dependable and helpful I am and it really meant a lot. It's great that there is recognition of the key role that sales assistants play. I had a great time at the awards presentation and won £500 which I will put towards driving lessons. But I really want to win the overall top prize next time!