The Top 50 Indies gathered at Forecourt Trader’s sixth annual dinner to celebrate the UK’s largest independent retailers on February 28.

RMI Petrol chairman Brian Madderson gave a well-received speech, highlighting the association’s numerous achievements, including reductions in rateable values for business rates.

The previous night top independent retailer Jonathan James also gave a humorous and rallying speech at Forecourt Trader’s inaugural Indie 5000 dinner. Jonathan shared his thoughts on the importance of independents sharing information and supporting each other. He told the audience how from small beginnings attending a PRA meeting and chatting to then-director Ray Holloway, he grew his contacts, knowledge and experience to running four forecourts and two c-stores.

The Indie 5000 project targets dealers with a handful of sites or fewer, who make up the majority of the independent fuel retailing market. The programme kicked off with presentations on the Forecourt Trader stand at IFFE followed by a dinner on the first night of IFFE and gave those attending the chance to network with likeminded retailers and the event’s sponsors British American Tobacco, Dresser Wayne, Eurotank Environmental, Harvest Energy, Heineken and Total.

Turn to page 22 for the full report.