All Latest News articles – Page 237
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News
ACS criticises size of minimum wage increase
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has criticised the Government’s above inflation 3% increase in the adult national minimum wage to £6.70, warning it will have have a negative impact on staffing and investment levels in the convenience sector. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are disappointed with the ...
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Certas parent’s deal for 400 French Esso sites approved
The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of 400 Esso-branded fuelling stations in France by DCC plc, the parent company of Certas Energy. In August DCC announced it had agreed an £84m deal to buy Esso’s 274-strong Express unmanned retail petrol station network, its 48 motorway concessions in France, as ...
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Congestation at worst level for 10 years
A Freight Transport Association (FTA) survey has revealed that congestion on UK roads is at the worst it has been for over 10 years. FTA’s Quarterly Transport Activity Survey (QTAS) illustrated the rate of deterioration in reliability on the road network at 55% – which is the lowest it has ...
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Government urged to rectify mistakes over LPG
Autogas Limited is calling on the Government to rectify its investment removal mistakes of the past in order to help the UK achieve its low carbon future. The calls are being made after a House of Commons Transport Select Committee report criticised the way the Government withdrew grants supporting the ...
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HMRC raids illegal filling station in Lancashire
An illegal filling station and diesel laundering plant, capable of evading £14.5m in duty a year, have been dismantled by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the Darwen area of Lancashire. Officers from HMRC and Lancashire Constabulary searched commercial premises and discovered the laundering plant on Tuesday 10 March. It ...
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MFG replaces Murco brand on company owned sites
Top 50 Indie MFG has announced plans to replace the Murco brand on all its company owned sites and to develop it as a brand exclusively for dealers. The move follows MFG’s acquisition of Murco’s retail business on 1 October 2014, comprising 228 company owned forecourts and supplying a dealer ...
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New agency takes over English road management
The way England’s motorways and A-roads are built and managed is set to change next month after the government announced the ‘go-live’ of Highways England. Highways England is a new arms-length government company that will take over running motorways and major trunk roads from the Highways Agency on 1 April. ...
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Ramsay MacDonald calls for 2ppl cut in duty
Ramsay MacDonald, retail director, Certas Energy, is calling on the Chancellor to protect the future of independently owned filling stations and stimulate economic growth by reducing fuel duty by 2ppl in his budget review, next Wednesday 18 March. Referring to reports suggesting that the Government could take advantage of lower ...
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NewsEuro Garages takes lion’s share of Esso’s final sell-off
Agreement to sell 201 sites to three Top 50 independent retailers has been confirmed by Esso Petroleum Company and ROC UK (ExxonMobil). The long-awaited decision, following a strict bidding process, means Euro Garages Ltd has taken the lion’s share with 104 sites; followed by MRH (GB) Ltd with 78; and ...
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New-style PRA regional forum at Plymouth
The next event in the PRA’s programme of new-style regional forums will be held at Plymouth on Thursday March 19. PRA chairman Brian Madderson said: “After listening to members’ views, we have changed the format of these events in 2015 so that the focus is more on networking and interactive ...
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Decision on plain tobacco packaging expected today
MPs will today vote on whether to implement plain packaging on tobacco products, with a big majority expected in favour. If approved, it is expected the new legislation would come into effect on May 20 2016, the same date that many of the new EU Tobacco Products Directive will be ...
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NewsCar makers challenge ’demonisation of diesel’
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has launched a campaign to challenge what it describes as increasing demonisation of diesel and raise consumer awareness about the latest low-emission car technology. A Diesel Facts guide will be available online and in leaflet form via car makers and dealers. The ...
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MEPs vote to cap debit and credit card fees
The PRA has cautioned that the consequences of a European Parliament vote to limit the fees charged to retailers by banks and other financial institutions to process their debit and credit card transactions, may not be as straight forward as it sounds. Tax expert Gordon Balmer, commercial manager at the ...
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Disappointment over exclusion from carrier bag levy
Small independent retailers are disappointed that the government has continued to exclude them from its plans for a levy on carrier bags, following a House of Commons Committee debate, according to the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN). After deputy prime minister Nick Clegg’s pledge to remove all exemptions last ...
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MPs approve plain packaging for tobacco
MPs have passed legislation to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. The regulations will require manufacture of branded packaging to cease by 20th May 2016, with a full introduction of plain packs in all UK retail outlets by 21st May 2017. They will require packs to be dull ...
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£35m fund to encourage low emission cities
A dozen cities bidding for a share of a £35m fund to become centres of excellence for low emission vehicles have been announced by transport minister Baroness Kramer and business minister Matt Hancock. The Go Ultra Low city scheme will reward cities that demonstrate the most potential to become internationally ...
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NewsCar wash gives Legoland a hand
A car wash in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, had an unusual commission when nearby Legoland decided that the miniature cars in its driving school needed a spring clean. Jim Platt, chairman of car wash, forecourt and car dealership Platts, explained: “Legoland contacted us and asked whether they could put them through our ...
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MP calls for investigation into Merseyside fuel prices
An MP has written to the head of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) asking them to investigate the price of petrol across Merseyside. Frank Field said he has been contacted by several drivers in his Birkenhead constituency expressing concern about petrol prices in the town, and claiming some garages ...
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Call for more incentives for low emission vehicles
A report on how the government could support the development of new transport technology has called for greater incentives to encourage drivers to switch to low emission vehicles. The report, Motoring of the Future, by the Transport Select Committee, praises the government for setting up the Office of Low Emission ...
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New car sales continue to break records
The UK new car market has grown for a 36th consecutive month – a record growth period – according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In February, traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of a number plate change in March, the market grew ...