Certas Energy will roll-out a 24-hour, Gulf-branded pay-at-pump petrol station in Cullompton, Devon later this month. The former Exeter Road Petrol Station will reopen as Cullompton Fuel Express, safeguarding a forecourt that has served its local community for over 40 years.

The decision by Certas Energy, Britain’s largest independent distributor of fuels, to launch unmanned outlets is a direct response to changing market conditions. It will also provide a fast, safe and convenient, 24-hour facility for the local community, according to Richard Billington, the new retail director of Certas Energy.

“Unmanned forecourts are commonplace in Europe yet relatively new in the UK," he says. "We have responded to a need in the market and unmanned adds another mode of operation to our retail portfolio as we also look to increase the size and quality of our 500-strong Gulf dealer network and bolster our Direct Operation with further acquisitions.”