All Forecourt Trader articles in October 2013 – Page 2
-
News
New raft of measures to cut cost of motoring
The government has announced a raft of measures intended to help motorists to cut the cost of running a car. They include a crackdown on whiplash fraud, a freeze on MOT test prices and a scheme designed to reduce the cost of fuel at motorway service stations, Justice secretary Chris ...
-
News
Sites supplied by Grangemouth maintaining availability
Forecourts supplying fuel from the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland are managing to maintain availability despite the current shutdown at the site, according to the PRA. PRA chairman Brian Madderson said: “The PRA issued early advice to forecourts suggesting they gradually increase holding stock levels and we believe that this has ...
-
News
Trial of motorway fuel price signs to go ahead
The Government is going ahead with a trial of motorway signs showing the price of fuel at service areas in a bid to generate competition and reduce prices. Announcing the move, roads minister Robert Goodwill said: “We want to make it easier for people to get a better deal on ...
-
News
George Hammond demonstrates savings with Petroman system
Top 50 Indie George Hammond has decided to install the Petroman Vapour Management Control system in all its new developments after trials at three sites demonstrated how much money it was saving. The company estimates its stock losses due to vapour loss have reduced by 0.15% since installing the Petroman ...
-
News
Scottish First Minister tries to broker Grangemouth truce
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond is trying to broker a “truce” in the dispute that has led to the Ineos petrol refinery at Grangemouth in Scotland being shut down. Salmond met representatives of Ineos and the Unite union on Thursday, and afterwards he called for Unite to confirm in writing ...
-
News
UK applies to EC to extend rural fuel rebate scheme
The UK government has submitted an application to the European Commission (EC) to extend the rural fuel rebate scheme to 10 new towns. Following a call for evidence from fuel retailers in July, three towns in England and seven in Scotland were judged to have met criteria such as exhibiting ...
-
NewsEstate agents highlight apartment’s petrol pumps
East Preston on the West Sussex coast features a first for the forecourt sector – estate agents citing a view of petrol pumps as a major selling point for a luxury apartment. However these are not ordinary petrol pumps as they have been refurbished to bring them back to their ...
-
NewsAA praises independents for helping to reduce prices
Independent petrol retailers have been praised by the AA for their contribution towards the biggest monthly fall in petrol prices in five years. Average petrol prices in the UK have fallen by 5.48 pence per litre (ppl) since mid-September, the biggest monthly fall since the 11.5ppl petrol price collapse in ...
-
News
New motorcycle and scooter sales up 8%
The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show sales were up 8% compared with September 2012. Under 50cc scooter sales were down 12.7% last month, while over 50cc motorcycle sales increased by 11.4%. “It is encouraging to see that motorcycle sales increased last month, with the September plate change stimulating ...
-
NewsGrangemouth refinery will remain shut down
The owners of the Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland say the site will remain shut down despite the Unite union’s decision to call off a 48-hour strike planned to start on Sunday. This afternoon the owner, Ineos, released a statement saying: “Grangemouth is shut down and will remain shut down. ...
-
News
Government cuts National Insurance costs
The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the introduction of the National Insurance Contributions Bill to Parliament, which could save local shops up to £2,000 a year. From April 2014, the Bill will give up to 1.25 million businesses and charities a £2,000 reduction in their annual National Insurance Contributions, ...
-
News
Sewell Group sets up link with community group
Top 50 Indie Sewell Group has announced a new partnership deal to provide support for a local community group. The company, which was ranked 21st in the 2013 Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies, will be supporting 260 runners, acting as a ‘safe haven’ for members of the Fitmums & Friends ...
-
News
Man charged with robbing service station
A man has been remanded into custody, charged with robbery, after an incident at a service station in Northwood, Hertfordshire last week. The incident occurred at 3am on Tuesday, October 8, at the Sandy Lodge Esso service station in Sandy Lodge Lane. Hertfordshire Constabulary said it was believed entry was ...
-
News
PRA still urges caution over Grangemouth
The Petrol Retailers’ Association is continuing to urge affected retailers to increase fuel stocks following news that the Grangemouth oil refinery will remain shut. Ineos, the operators of the refinery, have announced that it will remain shut until at least Tuesday. PRA chairman Brian Madderson said: “Although it has been ...
-
News
Armed robbery at Norfolk forecourt
A police helicopter was scrambled to help search for an armed robber after an attack on a forecourt in Norfolk. Police were called to Nun’s Bridges Service Station, Thetford, at about 8.23pm on Tuesday, October 15, after reports that a man with a knife had demanded money from a cashier. ...
-
NewsConciliation resumes this afternoon in attempt to avert Grangemouth strike
Grangemouth management will continue conciliatory talks at ACAS this afternoon with the Unite union in an attempt to avert a 48-hour strike which threatens the future of the Scottish refinery. Following the adjournment of yesterday’s talks, Pat Rafferty Unite Scottish secretary, said: "Ineos management effectively imposed an adjournment on today’s ...
-
News
ACS calls on Chancellor to lift burden of business rate hikes
The convenience retail sector could be hit with an increase in business rates totalling nearly £26m next April, following today’s announcement by the Office of National Statistics of a Retail Price Index of 3.2% for September 2013. In response, the Association of Convenience Stores has called on the Chancellor to ...
-
News
Ram raiders smash hole in Suffolk forecourt shop
Ram raiders punched a large hole into the side of a forecourt shop in Suffolk during the early hours of the morning on October 4. Police are appealing for information following the incident at the Jet-branded Potters filling station in Station Road, Framlingham, which was closed at the time. Officers ...
-
News
More should be done to tackle illicit tobacco trade, urges PRA
The Petrol Retailer’ Association (PRA) today expressed concern at the release of HMRC’s Tax Gap report for tobacco, showing that the UK Treasury is losing billions of pounds a year to the illicit market. Brian Madderson, PRA chairman said: “Today’s report highlights that more needs to be done to tackle ...
-
News
MPs criticise HMRC’s efforts on tobacco smuggling
The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed a renewed focus from MPs on tackling tobacco smuggling. In a meeting of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, the chairman Margaret Hodge criticised the progress that had been made by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Border Force and recommended that ...