The Energy Institute’s latest figures confirm that the number of operational forecourts dropped to 9,764 by the end of 2005 - a loss of 587 sites over the year. The UK Retail Marketing Survey 2006 also reveals that petrol sales declined by 2.9% last year. Diesel sales showed strong growth, with sales up by 13.7%.

Thieves stole a JCB and used it to smash up a Somerfield forecourt in Pound Hill near Crawley. The criminals were trying to get away with the ATM. In their botched attempt they smashed most of the wall above the ATM and damaged the roof of the forecourt.

Auto Trader is investing £5m in a year-long forecourt advertising campaign. Running across 7,000 sites, it will incorporate nozzles, posters, door and floor graphics, and counter flyers.

The Association of News Retailing (ANR) has welcomed new guidelines on the display of lads’ mags. Retailers are being advised to display titles such as Zoo and Nuts out of the sight of children to avoid complaints from shoppers.

Cullompton Services on the M5 near Bristol has been named worst motorway service station by a survey in Holiday Which? It was described as "little more than a McDonald’s next to a petrol station" but the owners hit back saying the site had just been the subject of a £300,000 makeover. Tebay Services on the M6 was voted best service station, with particular praise for its shop because it was "as close as the motorway network comes to Harrods Food Hall".