All Latest News articles – Page 396
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News
Forecourt Watch brings fuel theft offender to book
The recent arrest of a fuel thief highlighted the value of the partnership between Strathclyde Police and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS).Staff at a BP service station in Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, spotted the driver of a Vauxhall Vectra at one of the pumps that had previously been subject to ‘drive ...
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Food wholesalers’ battle to keep shops stocked in atrocious conditions
Food wholesalers have been working flat out to ensure the nation’s independent retailers remain stocked with food and drink despite the weather conditions, but are disappointed at the lack of support from Local Authorities and the Highways Agency. Members of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, who between them ...
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Tesco bans hand car washing in all car parks
Tesco has confirmed that it has banned all hand car washing from its car parks nationwide, but not as a direct result of campaigning by the Car Wash Association. In a statement to Forecourt Trader, a Tesco spokesman said: “We constantly review the services we offer our customers. As part ...
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Kent retailer is "fighting losing battle" with the snow
A Kent retailer has bulk-bought salt and is making use of his forklift truck to clear snow from the forecourt and road leading up to it to ensure motorists can safely fill up.Simon Privett, who runs Tolgate Service Station in Gravesend, does this every year but said this year is ...
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Convenience will continue to outperform grocery says IGD
The UK convenience sector, currently valued at £32.1bn, will continue to outperform the grocery market and is projected to increase sales by 5.8% a year to £42.6bn in 2015, according to the latest figures released by international food and grocery analyst IGD.Its latest report, UK Grocery Retail Outlook: Opportunities Beyond ...
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Forecourts face fuel shortages following severe weather disruption
Forecourts are facing fuel shortages as large parts of the country are paralysed by the severe weather conditions. Brian Madderson, chairman of RMI Petrol, said the situation had reached a "critical point". The association has reported that the snow and exceptionally cold weather has disrupted the fuel supply chain to ...
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Khans opt for Londis at relaunched forecourt
Experienced retailers Siemi and Shoaib Khan re-launched their forecourt, Hylands Service Station, last week after leaving their previous symbol group and joining forces with Londis as their new retail partners. Having worked in retail for more than 15 years the couple were keen to take their business to the next ...
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Total signs 31 Co-op forecourts
Total UK has signed a new five-year contract to supply fuel to 31 Co-op Group forecourts nationwide, representing a significant piece of business for the oil company, particularly in light of its up-for-sale status. Richard Laden, Total UK retail director, said: "We are delighted to have completed this ...
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RMIP victory as VOA announces rate cuts
The year-long campaign by RMI Petrol to challenge the 2010 Revaluation Scheme, has won significant rate reductions from the Valuation Office Agency. The campaign saw all sectors of the industry independent retailers, oil companies and supermarkets work together to achieve savings estimated at around 10-25% ...
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Elaine’s simply the best assistant
Forecourt sales assistant Elaine Leaney was named Sales Assistant of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony in London last month, organised by Forecourt Trader’s sister magazine Convenience Store. The hard-working 79-year-old works for Top 50 independent Park Garage Group at its Total-branded site in Eastern Road, Brighton. ...
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MPK display ban warning
Top 10 Indie MPK Garages has warned that government plans to ban the display of cigarettes in shops could lead to closures. The Midlands chain, which operates 42 sites, claimed that up to nearly half of sales could be lost. Director Paul Kershaw said that without selling other ...
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FWD: beware cheap booze
Independent retailers who buy cheap alcohol from illegitimate wholesalers are putting their businesses at risk because HM Revenue and Customs has added new powers and extra resources to its fight against duty fraud. James Bielby, Federation of Wholesale Distributors chief executive, warned: "Small store owners who find themselves ...
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Lobby boost for LPG break
LPG fuel provider Autogas is upping its lobbying as it strives to persuade government to commit to long-term incentives to eco-friendly fuel users. The action comes after it was announced that the London congestion charge exemption for alternative fuel vehicles including those converted to LPG will ...
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in brief
HKS celebrations Congratulations to Shane Thakrar, business development manager of Top 50 Indie HKS, on his marriage to the beautiful Risha last month. The happy occasion was celebrated in great style with around 500 family members and friends in a giant marquee at the Thakrars’ new home in Leicester. Free ...
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Facebook campaign wants Tesco to challenge MRH
Inhabitants of Aviemore in the Highlands of Scotland have started a Facebook campaign to get a Tesco forecourt in the town, in a bid to bring down the price of fuel there. The area currently has three filling stations at Newtonmore, Grantown and Aviemore, all owned by Top ...
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Confusion follows plain tobacco packs proposal
The government’s intention to explore the possibility of plain packaging for tobacco products has left the industry confused about what this will mean for the planned display ban. Speaking ahead of the launch of a Health White Paper later this month, Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, ...
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Jet dealer was lifeline to Cornwall
A Jet site in Cornwall kept the county moving when flooding forced cars to use the forecourt as a road. Barrie Richards, who runs St Blazey Service Station, closed for business and allowed cars to drive through his 110m-long forecourt and escape the six-foot deep flooding in the ...
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IFFE success for Harvest
Since exhibiting at the International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment exhibition (IFFE) in March this year, Harvest Energy claims to have more than trebled the number of independent forecourts which have converted to its brand. Two of the most recent conversions, completed in the last month, are at Holloway ...
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’Perfect storm’ set to hit high streets
A ’perfect storm’ of aggressive supermarket expansion, poor planning laws and low investment could wipe out hundreds of high streets, James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS told an audience of retailers and suppliers at its Heart of the Community Conference last month. He called for a fairer ...
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Results of this month’s online poll:
Following the launch of the Car Wash Association (CWA) campaign to improve car washing standards, to what extent is your business threatened by hand car wash operators? very 76%fairly 18%not very 6% No great surprises here most of you are worried about the competition from ...