The Car Wash Campaign Group (CWCG) used the International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment (IFFE) show to hold its first open meeting and recruit new members. The event, chaired by Forecourt Trader editor Merril Boulton, saw a panel of three representatives from the group - retailer Robert Fraser, ACS public affairs manager Shane Brennan, and Wilcomatic MD Kevin
Pay – talk about why the campaign was so crucial to the industry.
The meeting was held at Birmingham NEC on Monday, the second day of the IFFE and Convenience Retailing Show (CRS), which runs until April 9th. Audience members, which included top names from the car wash industry, heard how there was a need for a level playing field in the sector - with all car wash operators required to abide by the same laws, such as environmental laws for disposing of used water and chemicals.
Brennan explained how the group, soon to change its name to the Car Wash Association, had progressed the campaign since it started a year ago. Members have been contacting MPs and government representatives to raise awareness of the issues and to lobby for stricter laws on the car wash industry to protect legitimate businesses. It has also been advising retailers on what steps to take to close down any illegal hand car washes in their area.
The panel urged retailers to join the campaign and visit its stand at the show, adding that the group now needed to increase its membership and step up pressure on the government.
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