All Forecourt Trader articles in March 2014
View all stories from this issue.
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News
Murco sell-off predicted next month
Murco’s US parent business is set to sell its UK business next month to a private equity firm for more than $500m, according to sources close to the negotiations. Murphy Oil has had a long-stated aim of selling off its UK business and two weeks ago a spokeswoman confirmed: “Discussions ...
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News
HMRC raids filling station over suspected illicit fuel
A filling station suspected of supplying illicit fuel, an illegal laundering site and a lorry equipped to transport illegal fuel have been uncovered in separate investigations in Northern Ireland carried out by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). A 24-year-old man was arrested after officers from HMRC and the Police Service ...
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News
Diesel thieves who preyed on filling stations jailed
Two thieves who stole more than £3,000 of diesel from filling stations across Leicestershire, have been jailed. Edgar Beliavskij and Dzintars Tancis filled up 30 times at garages across the county and left without paying. They used stolen registration plates on two vehicles. Jonathan Cox, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court ...
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News
Energy Institute report highlights growth of diesel
Total fuel sales in the UK saw a marginal 0.6% increase from 35.21 million tonnes in 2012 to reach 35.42 million tonnes in 2013, with diesel sales out-performing petrol for the third year running, according to the Retail Marketing Survey conducted by the Energy Institute. Retail petrol sales fell to ...
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News
Government urged to adopt minimum unit pricing on alcohol
The government has been urged to adopt minimum unit pricing on alcohol by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN). Its 16,000 members are backing comments from the chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, that the government’s upcoming ban on the below cost sale of alcohol does not go ...
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News
ACS backs call for energy market investigation
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed a proposed investigation into the energy market, calling for action to make the market fairer and more competitive for local shops. The announcement made by the energy regulator Ofgem on Thursday 27 March recommended an investigation of the market by the Competition ...
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News
Forecourt worker jailed over kidnap of owners
A man who worked at a Dorset petrol station has been jailed for his role in the kidnap of the couple who owned it. Henry Ajanthan, 33, of Manor Garden in Swanage, who worked at the Texaco petrol station at Victoria Avenue, Swanage, and Ramesh Sornalingam, 38, of York Road ...
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News
PRA poll demonstrates opposition to plain packaging
A poll commissioned by the PRA shows retailers are increasingly opposed to Government proposals to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in the wake of evidence from Australia. In the week that an independent review into plain packaging is due to report, the Populus poll undertaken for the PRA reveals ...
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News
European deal to build alternative fuel infrastructure
Agreement on a package of measures to ensure the build-up of alternative fuel stations across Europe with common standards for their design and use has been reached. The agreement was reached in ‘trilogue’ negotiations between the European Parliament, European Commission and representatives of member states. It must be formally approved ...
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News
ACS welcomes decision to retain personal alcohol licences
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the Home Office’s decision not to abolish personal alcohol licences. In its response to the consultation, the Home Office noted that it has “listened to the views received in response to the consultation, and in discussion with partners has decided not to ...
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News
Phillips 66 signs billion litre contract with Wincanton
Phillips 66 has awarded a contract to Wincanton to deliver more than a billion litres of fuel and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) a year to retail forecourts and other commercial premises across the Midlands and north-east England. Commenting on the announcement, Wincanton chief executive Eric Born said: “The very nature ...
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NewsBodmin Moor Services wins UK’s Best Forecourt Loo 2014
Bodmin Moor Services in Cornwall, owned by Top 50 Indie the Chartman Group, was the winner of the UK’s Best Forecourt Loo 2014. The award was presented at this week’s National Convenience Show at the NEC by James Hayfield, sales director of the campaign’s sponsor, RS Sales & Distribution. Chartman ...
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News
Scottish police issue fraud warning
Following an incident at a petrol station police in Scotland are reminding retailers to remain vigilant against fraud attempts. Two individuals entered a petrol station and a retail store in the Garioch area of Aberdeenshire last weekend with the intention of confusing staff by using distraction techniques to commit theft. ...
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News
MP calls for review of newspaper supply chain
A call for a review into the newspaper supply chain has been made during a debate in Parliament. Priti Patel MP, who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group Chair, and is the daughter of a shopkeeper, initiated the debate. She raised the concerns of independent newsagents ...
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News
UK refiners introduce filter blocking test for diesel
UK oil refiners have introduced a voluntary test for their diesel in response to a wave of breakdowns across the country caused by filters becoming blocked by a gel-like substance in the diesel. UKPIA, which represents the UK refining industry and also has Greenergy as an associate, said its members ...
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NewsThree arrested in illicit fuel investigation
As part of activity to combat fuel fraud three men have been arrested and a number of vehicles seized in Northern Ireland by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). HMRC officers, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, searched a business address in Co Tyrone during the night of March ...
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News
Huge HMRC seizure of alcohol in Wales
A man from Cardiff has been arrested after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) seized over 169,000 litres of illicit alcohol, in what is believed to be the largest ever seizure of its kind in Wales. It is estimated that the wine, beer and spirits are worth £303,000 in lost duty ...
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News
Number plate advert ruled misleading
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against Plates for Cars after one of its customers claimed its advertising was misleadling. On its website the company offers customisable car number plates, and states “Our Online Designer makes it possible to see the exact number plate and size before ...
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News
Falling consumption squeezing retailers warns AA
The AA has warned that fuel retailers are facing difficult conditions with falling consumption compounded by the recent exceptionally bad weather. In its latest monthly fuel update it said petrol forecourt prices remain at a three-year low, averaging 129.46ppl in mid March compared with 129.63ppl last month. A year ago ...
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News
OFT consults on new fuel supply plans for Western Isles
The OFT has launched a consultation on proposals to improve competition in the supply of petrol and diesel to filling stations in the Western Isles of Scotland. The OFT has been investigating a possible infringement of competition law in the islands, in particular the contractual arrangements for the wholesale supply ...