Former Esso licensees have won the right to appeal against the judgement on margins, one of the three main issues being contested in the long-running dispute with Esso.

Almost 100 retailers challenged Esso on three main issues – Tiger Tokens, margins, fees and allowances, and hot fuel – which were the subject of a two-month trial at the beginning of last year.

When the judgement arrived in the summer retailers were devastated at the outcome which ruled against them on Tiger Tokens and hot fuel, and left them with the prospect of going back to the County Courts to get individual judgements on the third issue on margins.

“We have to keep fighting because ultimately we have been wronged,” said retailer Shailesh Parekh.