MP Philip Dunne urged retailers to keep on fighting against the “unfair” hikes they face in Business Rates while speaking at the Top Indies dinner in

Petrol retailers, oil company executives and suppliers to the service station industry will be out in force at the International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show which opens this Sunday at the NEC in Birmingham. There is much to see and do, including keeping up with new product launches and equipment developments,  meeting suppliers, and seeking out free advice, as well as the key benefit of networking with like-minded colleagues.

The Top 50 Indies sector has seen plenty of activity in the past year even though many retailers have opted to upgrade their existing networks rather than splash the cash on new acquisitions.

Total is paying for a mobile police station that has been set up on one of its forecourts to combat anti-social

Murco Petroleum is expanding its Scottish network with four more sites,

RMI Petrol is urging retailers to continue piling pressure on their MPs as the April 1 business rates deadline looms.

Jet has announced the winners of its annual Aim Hi awards, which recognise commitment to offering friendly, efficient and safe service in the local

During the floods that hit Cumbria last November, staff at Fairfield Garage in Cockermouth went out of their way to

Many shoppers are confused about what to expect from forecourt stores and, as a result, it's costing the industry footfall

This year's Association of Convenience Stores' Summit will take place at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole at the NEC on Wednesday, May 5.

Texaco, Shell, Total and BP have emerged as the brands most favoured by independent dealers across the

Well, despite what seems to be an ongoing stream of insurmountable grief whether it's fuel pricing, the weather, business rates or some other impending legislative gloom it seems that underneath it all, you're really quite positive about the petrol retailing business.

In light of the strong feelings against VOA revaluations for forecourts, are you planning to appeal your business rates bill?

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Princethorpe is situated south of Coventry on the A423 Banbury Road. It is a small hamlet with a few houses and a pub. The Pace service station is easily identified by the pole clearly displaying the new-design Pace logo.

VAT returns to go online within next few weeks

Is the future miles away?

It's all change at Pace Fuelcare. In the past year it has changed both its name it was previously known as Pace Petroleum and its head office, which has moved from Staines in Middlesex to new premises in Egham, Surrey.

It's not often that a new product category comes along that's ideal for your trading sector but that's exactly what's happened with energy shots. They're the little brother to energy drinks smaller and easier to consume and ideal for placing next to the till. For consumers they offer instant energy and, for retailers, instant profits.

If you're lucky enough to have an off licence in your forecourt store, you need to make the most of it. That means stocking the big brands that your customers will immediately recognise the ones that are advertised. You may not be able to compete with the grocery mults on 'pile it high, sell it cheap' beer promotions but you can offer the names that your customers know, and it will be convenient for them to pick up a nicely chilled four-pack from your store.

One thing's for certain this summer: nobody knows what the weather will bring. But whether it's a heatwave or a wash-out, forecourts are perfectly placed to profit from the unpredictability of the great British summer. And that includes having products for those impromptu barbecues.

Many of the biggest names in the business will be gathered at the Birmingham NEC from March 21-24 for this year's International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment Show. Exhibitors include Car Wash UK, Convenience Distribution Group, Dresser Wayne, Experian Catalist, Garage Watch, GB Oils, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, Gulf, Harvest Energy, Indigo Retail Technology, King Tanktechnic, LP Gas, Pace, Petrotechnik and Wilcomatic.

The Simon Smith Group has been trialling a system by Greengate Energy aimed at cutting energy bills at its Monmouth site. The 3M Plan works by measuring energy consumption and setting realistic parameters for each energy-consuming device on site. This is controlled via Greengate's wireless energy management system.

BP has renewed its contract with WashTec to maintain its complete fleet of rollover washes on its company-owned sites. Commenting on behalf of BP, UK maintenance manager Mark Rogers said: "Over the course of the next three years we look forward to working with WashTec on our service approach to minimise the calls to site, improve machine reliability, and ultimately contribute towards increased sales in our car wash estate."

European Wash Systems, the UK partner of Ceccato, has launched a new website.

Wilcomatic has been awarded the maintenance of all Euro Garages' WashTec, Christ and Ceccato car washes.

Kärcher Vehicle Wash, the car wash equipment division of Kärcher UK, has launched a new online chemical store.

Leading baker Warburtons has launched a portfolio of premium snacks as it targets a new market sector. Scheduled for launch on March 15, the range will consist of two snacking products ChippidyDooDaa pitta chips and Snackadoodle wholegrain snacks. The baked Pitta Chips are for snacking and dipping, and come in four flavours and two pack sizes.

Nearly a year after Cadbury Dairy Milk (CDM)became Fairtrade certified in the UK and Ireland, the company has announced that Cadbury Dairy Millk Buttons will now carry the Fairtrade logo. CDM is also celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight (ending March 7) with the release of its first album 'Big Swap Songs' which includes an exclusive track by chart-topping artist Paolo Nutini, as well as five other UK chart hits, all covered by Ghanaian group, The Big Ghana band. The release has been created as a free 'thank you' to anyone who swaps to Fairtrade products as a result of Fairtrade fortnight.

McVitie's is returning to TV screens nationwide to drive consumer awareness of the further 50% reduction in saturated fat that came into effect across the McVitie's Digestives, HobNobs and Rich Tea standard biscuits in December. The six-week £1.3m campaign runs across a mixture of terrestrial and Sky channels. Sarah Heynen, marketing director, sweet biscuits at UBUK, says: "McVitie's is the nation's favourite biscuit brand, worth more than £231m, and is expected to become even more popular now the saturated fat has been reduced by a further 50% across the McVitie's portfolio without compromising on taste. A big flash on-pack communicates the reduction."

Powerade has launched its 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign with a new TV commercial featuring England star Wayne Rooney, highlighting the role the isotonic sports drink will play as the on-pitch hydration partner for every team at this summer's tournament. It will be the only drink hydrating all 736 players from 32 countries before, during and after all 64 games. The new commercial sees a shirt-less Wayne Rooney fuelled by water, in a one-on-one skills and endurance duel.

Phileas Fogg is the subject of a first-quarter £2m marketing campaign which includes new pack designs and a new TV advertisement which expands on the 2009 theme of highlighting the authenticity of the Phileas Fogg ingredients and how they are sourced. The new pack design will use more colour to help consumers distinguish between different flavours in the range. Helen Warren-Piper, marketing director of bagged snacks at UBUK, says: "Since its relaunch last year, Phileas Fogg has had a significant impact on growing the premium bagged snacks segment, which is up 7% year-on-year."

Britvic and PepsiCo UK are aiming to shake up the on-the-go drinks market with the biggest pack innovation in 15 years. In April, Britvic will launch a new range of 600ml PET bottles across its carbonates range a first for the UK supported by a £5m marketing campaign. The new bottle format will offer consumers better value for money while providing retailers with a great profit opportunity. It will be available across the no and low-sugar variants of Britvic's carbonates range including Pepsi Max, Diet Pepsi, 7Up Free, and Tango, replacing the current 500ml no suger and low sugar range.

Chupa Chups is extending its range into bubblegum following the company's claims of record growth of 30% year-on-year in 2009 in a flat sugar confectionery market. The new range includes Bubbly Cotton Candy, available in tutti frutti flavour; Big Babol Bubblegum (six-piece pack, available in strawberry and tutti frutti flavours) and due for launch in June, Bubblegum lollipops available in cola and cherry flavours. Aimee Reason, Chupa Chups brand manager, comments: "The bubblegum market has been stagnant for years. We have taken the opportunity to reinvigorate the category by launching a range of bubblegum products at a time when consumers are engaged in the Chupa Chups brand." 01753 442100

From April 22 to June 2, Spar will be rolling out its first national Wine Festival across its 2,100 licensed UK stores, offering 25% off more than 35 different wines. For lovers of the New World, and in anticipation of the World Cup which kicks off this summer, Spar is offering 25% off a selection of its South African wines, including the Spar Reserve Chenin Blanc (£3.99); and the Alexander Fontein Shiraz from the Ormonde Estate (£5.99). Over the past six months Spar has undertaken a complete overhaul of its wine range, with new designs and suppliers. Its UK wine controller Laura Jewell, says: "The wine festival is designed to make it easy for people to try somethiing new this summer without breaking the bank."

Retailers can take advantage of the anticipated football frenzy this summer by stocking up on the new Football Decor lighters from Bic. The colourful lighters feature images of goals, tackles and celebrations which are sure to appeal to football fans nationwide.

Premier Foods aims to entice new customers and drive growth with the relaunch of Batchelors Condensed Soup with a new design to align it with the rest of the Batchelors portfolio.

Fox's Biscuits is to relaunch two of its best-selling products Caramel Shortcake and Shortcake Rounds as part of the new look, luxurious Chocolatey range.

Glendale Foods has launched a range of microwaveable 'Takeaway Favourites' under its Yankee brand, to meet the growing popularity of fast food and microwave oven ownership.

In conjunction with Fresh Trade UK, United Beers has launched United Pear Cider made with 30% pear juice, available in a 500ml bottle in readiness for the World Cup football season.

Retailers can take full advantage of the anticipated football frenzy this summer by stocking up on the new range of Football Decor lighters from Bic.

Walkers is giving readers the chance to win cases of what it says are the nation's favourite 'better for you' products.

o help retailers capitalise on the 'grab and go' trend in convenience outlets, United Biscuits is giving readers of Forecourt Trader the chance to win cases of its redesigned McVitie's tubes. There are three prizes of five cases available.

The Green Board Game Company is giving readers the chance to win packs of its Holiday Words Snap game. There are five prizes up for grabs each of 10 packs.

Write your name, address and phone number on a postcard or sealed envelope stating what you want – The Green Board Game Company, Bic, Walkers, United Biscuits – and we'll do the rest, including delivery. Send it to us at Forecourt Trader, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT by March 26, 2010.

My brothers and I operate six filling stations in the Lake District and we wouldn't want them anywhere else. We work from our HQ in Fleetwood, dealing with the accounting functions, and are supported by our office manageress, Helen, based at Prizet Services near Kendal. She makes our lives much easier and her organisational skills and happy approach to life make her indispensable but don't tell her that! Our three site managers are likewise indispensable and we have three of the best they keep the show on the road. They order fuel and shop products, staff the tills and deal with all the day-to-day issues of a typical forecourt. Mel, our maintenance man, keeps the sites looking neat and tidy, the jet washes and site services fully operational. He loves a chat on his daily rounds and tells me he likes to 'keep everybody happy'. Our staff are indeed our biggest asset.