The Co-operative Group is converting 45 of its petrol station sites in the UK to BP. The major deal, which follows a year of negotiations, will also see the Co-operative Retail Trading Group re-sign 40 other sites with BP’s dealer network for a further five years. Peter Molloy, BP’s UK Fuel Operations Manager, said: “BP is delighted to have agreed a deal with the Co-operative Retail Trading Group.

“The agreement not only extends the excellent existing relationship we currently have with the Co–operative Group, but also allows further expansion and development of the partnership. The deal represents a key strategic alliance for both companies which offers a national geographic presence.”

The deal makes the Co-operative Group the second largest in the BP dealer network – after the Malthurst Group owner MRH (GB).

Clive Adamson, the Co-operative Group’s head of petrol and post offices, said the Co-operative Group and BP had established “an excellent partnership within the petrol retail sector”, adding that he was pleased that this relationship continued to develop with the latest transfer of more forecourt sites.

He added: “The market place in which we operate has changed dramatically over the last few years and it is important that the Co-operative Group has the right partner to manage the environment in which we work.”

The deal also means that more sites are available to BP Plus fuel card customers.

Kathleen Callender, from BP’s UK Fuels Marketing team, said that all of the 340,000 BP PLUS fuel card customers could continue to benefit from one of the most comprehensive fuel networks in the UK. She said: “In fact, our ongoing commitment to strengthening the network is just one of the many benefits that our fuel card customers continue to receive. Along with the card’s rigorous control and security measures, drivers can also use our BP PLUS Online Services to get downloadable on-the-road tools, including satellite navigation downloads, online network guides and an SMS BP network site locator.”