All Latest News articles – Page 338
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NewsA successful start for Pace at Foxlydiate
Foxlydiate Service Station near Redditch had been closed for almost 15 months when business partners David Hill and Jackie Braziel eyed an opportunity. The experienced petrol retailers tidied up the premises, introduced Mace to the shop, Pace on the forecourt and 24 months on, the site is pumping 1.8ml and shop takings are up to around £1500 a day and still growing. “We have made good progress and our daily footfall is now above 600,” said David. “At first, motorists were largely unfamiliar with the name Pace, but the new image revitalised the site and the Mobil branding on the pole proved a very strong proposition. We have no chimney pots nearby but benefit from a busy through-route location and a multi-faceted business.” Alongside the four-island eight-pump layout is a convenience shop, used car sales, tyre bay and MOT and servicing centre. “Pace has supported us in the shop as well as on the forecourt,” said David. “We felt that with a smaller company, from the tanker driver to head office staff, there would be a greater appreciation and understanding of our business. “Pace offered a flexible approach and a package that suited our requirements. That flexibility extends to orders and, despite a restrictive tank layout, things run smoothly and a good pattern of deliveries has evolved. There is also a swift response to any queries.” After a strong start, shop sales began to plateau, but with the support of Mace and the Pace shops consultant, David and Jackie undertook immediate action and some further investment, including extending the drinks and chilled offerings, with very positive results. Shop and off license sales continue to accelerate as the site goes from strength to strength.
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RMIP missive to PM to "fully engage with the industry"
A missive expressing deep and growing concern about the failure by the Government to properly talk with the fuel retailing industry has been sent to the Prime Minister David Cameron by RMI Petrol chairman Brian Madderson.In it Madderson states that had there been proper consultation in the weeks prior to ...
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OFT promised further evidence to demonstrate need for market study
RMI Petrol has promised to gather further evidence of current practices which are distorting competition in the fuel retailing sector to help change the Office of Fair Trading’s opinion about the need for an inquiry.The OFT recently decided against a market study into road fuel retailing, but left the door ...
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Possible buyer for Coryton, claims Unite
There could be a possible buyer for the troubled Coryton oil refinery in Essex, according to the Unite union.Unite national officer Linda McCulloch said: “We understand that there is a possible buyer for Coryton. We can’t say who it is at present as that might jeopardise any negotiations. We understand ...
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Blakemore to launch planograms for forecourts and rolling weekly promotions
Forecourt-specific planograms and rolling weekly promotions were just some of Spar wholesaler Blakemore’s sales-boosting plans revealed at its annual conference yesterday (June 12). Developing partnerships was the main theme of the conference, and group managing director Peter Blakemore spoke of the successes of the Capper/Blakemore integration, detailing how the two ...
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Madderson – still waiting for urgent meeting with Greening
Transport secretary Justine Greening has been urged to talk to industry representatives before issuing a proposal for a voluntary code of conduct as threatened via press interviews last month.In a strongly worded letter sent today, RMI Petrol chairman Brian Madderson complained that despite having made immediate contact with the Department ...
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Forecourt attendants make a comeback to Shell sites
Shell is bringing customer service to the pumps with the return of forecourt attendants at nearly 300 sites across the UK.The new Attended Service programme is a free service designed to help drivers with advice on fuels and fuel efficiency, basic car care and safety tips.Shell has set out to ...
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Crime surge from plain packs of cigarettes ignored by ministers, warns new report
The risk that stripping cigarette packets of their distinctive branding and logos will fuel a surge in tobacco smuggling and other forms of crime have been ignored by the Department of Health, according to a new independent study.The report, ’Plain packaging and the illicit trade in the UK’, has been ...
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UK should follow China and slash fuel prices to boost demand, says FairFuel UK
China is cutting petrol and diesel prices to help stimulate consumer demand – and the UK government should do the same, fuel price campaigning group FairFuel UK has said.According to China’s fuel pricing rules, a change is considered if a weighted moving average price of three types of international crude ...
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Tebay South earns highest rating in quality assessment scheme
Westmorland’s Tebay South motorway services area in Cumbria has become the UK’s first operation to be awarded a five-star rating in national tourist board VisitEngland’s Motorway Service Area Star Ratings scheme. The scheme has seen quality at motorway service stations improve across the board but family-run Tebay South is the ...
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NewsP&H appoints new head of symbol
Palmer and Harvey has appointed Rory Brick as head of symbol. Rory joins from Mace, the construction and consultancy firm, where he was programme manager on the Sainsbury’s account. He was responsible for a major capital investment programme improving stores’ energy efficiency. Rory’s experience encompasses retail, marketing, supply chain, category ...
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Protests hit Coryton refinery amid warnings its closure could cost the economy £100m
There were protests outside Coryton oil refinery this morning amid warnings that its closure could see over £100m drained from the economy.More than 100 people, including members of Unite the union and Labour MEP Richard Howitt, braved the weather to stage a demonstration outside the threatened refinery. They then descended ...
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Costcutter sets sights on more forecourt c-stores
Costcutter is placing a greater focus on the forecourt sector as the symbol group wholesaler seeks to reassure members amid the ongoing negotiations over its future distribution arrangements.In the wake of chairman Colin Graves departure last month, Costcutter chief executive Nick Ivel said an announcement on Costcutter’s supply chain post ...
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NewsGood Auld Brig signs with Gulf
One of Scotland’s newest, state-of-the-art sites, Auld Brig Service Station, has signed with Gulf, further strengthening the brand’s presence north of the border. The 1.8 million litre Alloa location, heralded as one of the most progressive in the UK, includes a Wi-Fi lounge within its Londis store, which also features ...
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New car market grows as private registrations rise 14.3%
New car sales figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today show month-on-month sales were up 7.9% compared to May last year. It’s the largest percentage rise for 23 months boosted by a 14.3% growth in private demand. The fleet market was also up 4.8% in ...
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NewsMPK relaunch – fit for a Queen!
When MPK Garages relaunched their forecourt with Londis store in Mansfield they asked a ‘Queen lookalike’ to perform the official opening ceremony. The store was adorned with Jubilee bunting and flags and there was a face painter on site.MPK invested to extend the shop from 400sqft to 800sqft, introduced an ...
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First shop-refit completion for MFG
Top 50 Indies forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) has just completed the first shop refit of a £1½ million, 12-month programme to improve the shop offering on its 48 station network. MFG’s Boscombe Service Station near Bournemouth has a new Mace-branded shop, offering customers an exciting range of chilled ...
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Mace launches exclusive linked deals calendar to boost sales
Mace has teamed up with Britvic, Walkers and Cadbury so retailers can offer their shoppers linked deals in a promotional first for Palmer and Harvey.Each ‘On-the-Go Deal’ promotion will consist of a chocolate countline, packet of crisps and a bottle of soft drink (500/600ml). The promotions will change every three ...
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NewsRebuilt Hammond site already trading ahead of target
Top 50 Indie George Hammond plc has opened its fifth Spar forecourt store with Blakemore Trade Partners. Queenborough Service Station, previously operating as a 1,100 sqft forecourt underwent a 16-week knock down and rebuild programme which saw the store transform into a 2,600sq ft Spar complete with a Subway franchise, ...
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ACS and RMI Petrol team up for 2012 Forecourt Seminar
Current political issues affecting forecourt retailers, testimonials from successful emerging players in the sector and how the sector will continue to evolve over the next few years will be the key topics discussed at this year’s Forecourt Seminar. Jointly organised by the Association of Convenience Stores and RMI Petrol for ...