All Latest News articles – Page 250
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News
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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News
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 ...
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News
Laundering plant discovered in County Armagh
A suspected diesel laundering plant, discovered on a farm overlooking the shores of Lough Ross in County Armagh, has been dismantled by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Officers from HMRC, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, searched the farm in the Crossmaglen area, where ...
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Council accused of being heavy handed over prosecution
A forecourt operator has accused her local council of being heavy handed after it prosecuted her company for hygiene failings at the site. Rozina Limited, which operates the Jet Service Station on Ely Road, Witcham Toll, pleaded guilty to two breaches of food hygiene regulations at Cambridge Magistrates, and was ...
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NewsRural fuel rebate to be extended on May 31
The rural fuel rebate scheme will be extended to 17 new areas from May 31, with retailers able to register for the scheme from 1 April, chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has announced. The Rural Fuel Rebate has been approved by the European Union (EU) following a year-long ...
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NewsFireball injures staff at filling station
Four staff have been hurt by a mini fireball at an operator-run BP filling station at Spring Hill in Birmingham, according to local press reports. The fireball was caused by a fan heater in the shop. West Midlands Fire Service were called to the incident and Dave James, station commander ...
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New challenge to plain packaging decision
A detailed response to the government’s plan to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products has been issued by JTI UK managing director Daniel Torras. He said that successive introductions of regulations on tobacco made it impossible to assess the impact of individual changes and pointed out the decision to press ...
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Report says shop theft has been decriminalised
A report released by the influential think tank Policy Exchange has suggested that shop theft has been ‘decriminalised’ because of a weak response from courts and police. Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman said: “Shop theft is one of the biggest operational challenges retailers face and it’s ...