As usual there are many things to talk about in this dynamic industry of ours, but first let me unabashedly plug our Best Forecourt Loo 2013 competition, which is running for the next few weeks.

Sponsored by RS Sales, and running on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BestForecourtLoo), it’s attracting a lot of fans. On the surface it looks like a bit of fun which it is, especially if you look at the most recent picture posted by Forecourt Trader of the Year winner Symonds Forecourts! They have managed to persuade one of their (probably newer) members of staff to pose, shall we say, in the sitting position! Other sites have shown us their clean and shiny facilities with various adornments such as scenic paintings, promotional posters and even loo seats covered in dolphins! So you see the competition’s hotting up.

But there is a more serious note. Did you know that toilets are the number one irritant to customers when it comes specifically to the forecourt shop? In Palmer & Harvey’s Forecourt Report 2012 an astonishing 54% said toilet facilities (or lack thereof) was something that currently annoyed them; and that either introducing toilets or improving the existing facilities was seen by 65% of those surveyed as the number one step that forecourts could take in order to attract more female customers.

For those who are already on the case, pushing services to the highest level at every opportunity, well done. And don’t forget to send your entries in. There’s an Amazon Kindle Fire and year’s supply of loo rolls (max 360) in it for the winner.

For those with a less than savoury offering time to rethink the loo plan?

With supermarkets increasingly moving into the convenience territory last month saw Morrisons buying former Blockbuster and HMV sites to expand its M offer could investment in this area be something that could help give you an edge and (pardon the pun) boost your bottom line?