Alfred Jones sells stores

Top 50 Indies operator Alfred Jones (Warrington) has confirmed that none of its forecourts are involved in the sell-off of 33 convenience stores to the Tesco-owned c-store group One Stop Stores. The Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation into the sale to consider whether it would lead to a substantial lessening of competition within any UK markets. Alfred Jones is ranked 14th in the Top 50 and has 17 forecourts.

Alcohol plans shelved

The government has shelved plans to introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol in England and Wales, but it will ban below-cost selling next year.

Home Office minister Jeremy Browne said the unit pricing policy would remain "under consideration" but there were fears the change would hit responsible drinkers. A ban on multi-buy sales has also been rejected.

Retailers sought for TV

The TV company behind Mary Portas: Secret Shopper and Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares is looking for owners or managers willing to take part in a new series featuring a crime prevention expert who will be help independent shops and businesses tackle shoplifting. For more information email shopcrime@optomen.com or call 020 3227 5867.

Adulterated fuel seized

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has seized 2,800 litres of contaminated fuel, red diesel and kerosene from a filling station in Caerphilly in South Wales. HMRC officers found two large fuel tanks containing what purported to be duty-paid white diesel selling at £1.25 a litre. Checks showed the white diesel had been ’stretched’ with large quantities of kerosene, which attracts a lower rate of duty.