January
A PRA report warns that supermarket expansion could wipe out 800 independent forecourts by 2017. Former PRA president Paul Sykes sells his five Shaws forecourts to Midlands Co-op.
February
A long-awaited OFT report into the road fuel market gives it a clean bill of health to the disbelief of many in the industry.
March
MRH (GB) extends its lead in Forecourt Trader’s Top 50 Indies, adding 52 sites. Industrial unrest is simmering at the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland, where tanker drivers settle a dispute with BP after a three-day strike.
April
Greenergy chief executive Andrew Owens announces tie-ups with Esso and Nisa. Palmer & Harvey and Costcutter pool their buying power with Costcutter taking over running the Mace symbol group. The Chancellor scraps the duty increase scheduled for September.
May
BOSS says crime is costing UK forecourts operators £25.7m a year. Harvest and Spar unveil a new branded forecourt concept.
June
European Commission investigators raid the offices of Platts, BP, Shell and Statoil as they probe potential market rigging. Euro Garages announces plans to add 69 Subway outlets across its estate.
July
The PRA rebukes the AA over claims that dealers are profiteering on the prices they charge for diesel. A rise in the availability of illicit fuel is reported by HMRC. MFG signs a deal with BP to supply 46 of its sites.
August
Costco, one of the biggest players in the North American market, applies for planning permission for its first petrol filling station in the UK, in Liverpool. The PRA welcomes an EC decision to cap card charges.
September
The owners of MFG buy a portfolio of 54 petrol filling stations in a deal worth more than £50m but keep them separate from MFG. Applegreen nearly doubles in size with 18 acquisitions.
October
Euro Garages wins the Forecourt Trader of the Year Award for its Calder Park Service Station in Wakefield. GB Oils unveils its new identity as Certas Energy.
November
A duty deferment scheme outlined by tax expert Alan Powell makes all the headlines at a PRA forum addressed by the energy minister. The refinery at Grangemouth is shut down in an industrial dispute, but then its future is assured as part of a settlement.
December
The PRA appeals to ministers after HMRC puts obstacles in the way of the duty deferment scheme. Asda announces plans to open 100 standalone forecourt sites by 2018.
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