Hugo Griffiths
Hugo is senior reporter on Forecourt Trader
Contact info
- Email:
- hugo.griffiths@wrbm.com
NewsNew report highlights vital role convenience stores play in Wales
Welsh convenience stores contribute over £600m to the economy each year, employ over 26,000 people and are vital hubs for local communities, a report has found.
NewsSpring Statement 2025 brings “no respite for retailers”
Retailers have expressed dismay that no concessions were made to the hardships being experienced by the sector in today’s Spring Statement, despite significant cost rises being on the immediate horizon.
NewsPlans for new M5 motorway services revealed
Welcome Break has revealed plans for its forthcoming motorway service area (MSA) at Junction 24 on the M5 near Bridgwater, Somerset, submitting details to local authorities as it seeks full planning approval
NewsMeal deals in Wales face restrictions
The Welsh Senedd has narrowly voted to push forward with legislation that will impact where meal deals can be displayed in shops, while also banning multi-buy offers on high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods.
NewsMoto CEO in line for top award
The chief executive of Moto Hospitality, which operates motorway service areas at 69 sites across the UK, has been shortlisted for CEO of the year at the 2025 British Business Awards.
AnalysisScotland may have inadvertently banned all new petrol stations
It seemed, in the grand scheme of things, a relatively minor story: Renfrewshire Council had refused planning permission for a new petrol station on the outskirts of Lochwinnoch, a village 20 miles to the west of Glasgow.
NewsAscona continues expansion with trio of Welsh forecourts
Ascona Group’s ambition to operate over 150 sites within the next three years came one step closer this week after three forecourts in Wales were brought under the firm’s wing.
NewsUK’s oldest truck stop refreshed with updated kitchen including recyclable oil system
A truck stop off Junction 12 on the M6 dubbed “Britain’s oldest” has been given a fresh lease of life after its on-site café was rejuvenated with a state-of-the-art kitchen.
NewsRetailers face more checks for underage tobacco sales following £10m funding boost for Trading Standards
Retailers are set to be subject to an increasing number of checks by Trading Standards officers, after the government announced an extra £10m to fund the prevention of underage sales, and illegal tobacco and vape products.
NewsUK’s largest ultra-rapid EV charging hub opens in Winchester
A new EV charging hub with 44 ultra-rapid (150kW+) chargers has opened close to Junction 9 of the M3 by Winchester.
NewsNewts no longer blocking motorway service area development
Extra MSA Group has found itself one step closer to breaking ground on a new motorway service area (MSA) it first applied for permission for in 2019, after successfully mitigating against a planning condition related to great crested newts.
NewsGridserve announces dynamic pricing for EV charging
Chargepoint operator Gridserve has announced it will change the price drivers pay to recharge their cars depending on “location, power and payment method”.
NewsClimate change rules see petrol station planning permission refused
A Scottish council has refused planning permission for a new petrol station and service area partly because the development would “increase dependency on car travel” and go against government plans to “address the climate emergency”.
NewsGovernment urged to cut VAT on public EV charging
Fresh demands that the 20% VAT rate on public EV chargers be cut to the same 5% enjoyed by domestic electricity supplies have been made of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
NewsForecourt worker recognised with Sales Colleague of the Year award
A team member at a Northern Irish filling station has been recognised for her exceptional work after scooping Sales Colleague of the Year award at sister title Convenience Store’s 2025 Convenience Awards on Wednesday evening.
NewsHive and Zapmap announce ‘strategic partnership’
Hive, the smart home device company, has entered into a “strategic partnership” with chargepoint mapping and payment firm Zapmap, offering £20 of credit for use at public chargers to new Hive EV customers who purchase a home chargepoint from the firm.
NewsPolice object to forecourt’s 24-hour application over staff safety concerns
Blackpool police have objected to a Rontec filling station shop opening 24 hours a day due to concerns that such an arrangement may not be safe for employees, even when two members of staff are on duty overnight.
NewsTop 50 Indies increase EV charger numbers by 64%
The Top 50 Indie forecourt operators have increased their number of EV chargepoints by 63.76% in the last 12 months, with 3,095 charging bays in 2025, against just 1,890 the previous year.
NewsEVs need as much power as 20 houses to recharge as fast as petrol cars refill
BYD has announced that thanks to 1,000-volt electrical architecture and by way of a 1,000kW charger it’s new ‘Super e-Platform’ for cars is able to receive 249 miles’ worth of charge in just five minutes.
NewsEG On The Move plans £4m petrol station and Starbucks in Durham
EG On The Move has applied for planning permission for a new forecourt just off the A1(M) south of Durham.