All Latest News articles – Page 229
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News
Property industry warns against 60% business rate tax
Two leading property industry trade bodies have warned that unless government significantly changes the business rates system, businesses could face a 60% rate of tax by 2022. In a joint response to the government’s review of business rates, the British Property Federation (BPF) and British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) ...
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Four arrested in London tobacco raids
Four men from London have been arrested on suspicion of tobacco smuggling after an operation to disrupt the illegal trade yesterday.Around 60 officers from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), working with Southwark Council Trading Standards officers, visited ten residential and business premises in Bermondsey and Crawley, where the arrests took ...
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Roadchef reaches agreement to add Spar stores
Motorway services operator Roadchef is to introduce Spar stores on its sites following an agreement with the symbol group operator.The deal will see the launch of two test stores at Strensham on the M5 and Northampton on the M1 with the Strensham store opening at the beginning of July. It ...
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G7 pledge to rid the world of fossil fuels
A pledge to rid the global economy of fossil fuels by the end of this century has been undertaken by G7 countries at this week’s summit in Germany. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was important that the G7 participants affirm their commitment to keep global warming down to a ...
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ACS calls for fairer business rates for forecourts
Fairer valuations for forecourts are one of the key issues highlighted by the Association of Convenience Stores in a package of receommendations to Government, aimed at fundamental business rate reform.In its submission it says the business rates system should be fairer to help small businesses, and highlights the inherent issues ...
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BP and Spar among forecourt brands to accept Apple Pay
BP, Spar, Costa, Starbucks, Subway, Waitrose and M&S Simply Food are the major brands on UK forecourts which will accept customer transactions using Apple Pay, when it is launched in the UK next month.Apple Pay will enable consumers to use their iphones (6, 6 Plus and Apple Watch) to make ...
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NewsNew investors at MFG as former Tesco boss joins the board
The management team at Top 50 Indies forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) is to partner with private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, (CD&R) to acquire the company from its original institutional investor, Patron in a transaction valued at approximately £500 million. The transaction is expected to close in ...
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NewsOil tanker blaze in Devon
A major oil tanker fire has been extinguished by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service. The fire occurred on the A388 near Holsworthy in Devon on the morning of June 2, and when fire fighters arrived they reported the lorry carrying 10,000 litres of red diesel and 600 ...
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NewsProtests after police refuse to investigate drive-offs
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has raised its concerns with a Home Office minister following newspaper reports that a UK police force has declared that driving away from a petrol station without paying for fuel is no longer considered a crime. Devon and Cornwall Police said it would not ...
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PRA and ACS make submissions ahead of Budget
The PRA and Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have both highlighted retailers’ concerns in submissions to the Chancellor, ahead of his Budget on July 8. PRA chairman Brian Madderson called for a 2ppl cut in fuel duty, suggesting that income from increased road fuel volumes would help to pay ...
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NewsRetailers are fighting back against the hypers, Ramsay tells Indie 5000 audience
Independent fuel retailers are fighting back against the hypers – after two decades of the toughest possible conditions to survive in business, said Ramsay MacDonald, retail director at Certas Energy, at this week’s Indie 5000 dinner, organised by Forecourt Trader magazine. Editor Merril Boulton launched the latest annual Fuel Market ...
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NewsShell confirms sale of 27 sites
Shell has confirmed that it has exchanged contracts for the sale of 27 service stations with six dealer groups. As previously reported by Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies HKS, Golden Cross Group, Synergie Holdings and Spring Petroleum have all been successful bidders together with Valli Forecourts. Chedgold is the other ...
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C-stores best for top-up shopping, but face stiff competition, says IGD
Convenience stores are the most used format for top-up shopping, according to the IGD, which has also revealed that the convenience sector will remain the third fastest-growing grocery sector behind online and discounters, and is forecast to grow by 17% to £44.1bn over the next five years. The forecourt ...
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Profits increase at The Kay Group
Profits were up by 8% at Top 50 Indie The Kay Group, according to its latest set of results which have just been published. For the year ending October 31 2014, pre-tax profit was £2.5m on turnover down 2% from the previous year at £89.5m. The group’s payroll increased ...
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New manager for Certas company owned sites
Certas Energy has appointed Colin Levy as the company owned operations manager of its retail division, based in Larbert, Falkirk. Colin has almost 20 years’ experience in the forecourt sector, primarily with BP and partner companies. His career saw him progress from store management to area management, covering stores in ...
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Parcel collection business booming
CollectPlus, which enables online shoppers to collect their parcels from local shops, says parcel transactions were up 39% to 18.8 million in the year ending 31 March 2015. Neil Ashworth, CEO of CollectPlus, said its store network grew to over 5,800, adding: “I’m pleased to say that we remain ...
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Tesco fuel blamed for breakdowns
Tesco has apologised to customers after a “an issue” with unleaded petrol at its filling station in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, caused about 75 cars to break down. The breakdowns affected vehicles which were refuelled between mid-morning and early afternoon on Saturday and involved pumps using two of the ...
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NewsPete George announces retirement
Pete George, managing director of Phillips 66 UK & Ireland marketing, has announced his retirement following 45 years of service to the company. His final leaving date is anticipated to be the end of September. To facilitate a smooth transition, Mary Wolf, currently manager asset origination, midstream, will become deputy ...
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JTI removes gantry after retailer prosecuted
JTI removed its tobacco gantry from Crown Convenience Store on Lancaster Road North in Preston following a prosecution for possession of illegal tobacco products. Charlie Cunningham-Reid, UK head of corporate affairs, commented: “Given the offence committed by this retailer, JTI has decided that the removal of our gantry was ...
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ACS maps out future for forecourts
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman has set out the challenges facing forecourts during the next parliament at today’s 2015 Forecourt Seminar, focusing on business rates and the continuing localism agenda as key priorities in the coming months. Speaking at the event in Birmingham, Lowman said: ...