Here’s a question to use as a tie-breaker in a pub quiz. There are now fewer petrol stations in the United Kingdom than in which year?
I’ll give you a few clues: Captain Oates uttered those fateful words “I am just going outside and may be some time”; the Royal Flying Corps was established; and Piltdown man was ‘discovered’ in East Sussex. Oh, and Titanic sank. The year was 1912.
Fuel sales are not declining, but inceases in fuel duty - with another two pence per litre due this autimn - in many cases create circumstances in which retailers are forced to sell up, or like the Titanic, go under. The heavy duties are squeezing the retailers’ margins to such an extent that only those petrol stations with a high turnover can make a living. As far as the rest are concerened, the land on which they stand will earn more when sold for development than a dozen years of acting as largely unpaid revenue agents.
For example, five years ago Kingston Hill and Kingston Vale had between them about half-a-dozen petrol stations: now there are just two; the rest have become apartment blocks. And this story is repeated around the country.
How many petrol stations has your town lost in the last five years? Post your answer here and let’s start counting.
I blame the supermarkets. Many sell fuel as a loss-leader to encourage you to shop with them. The government should have protected the high street forecourts from Asda, Tesco, et al.
Gerry Pollard | 20 Sep 07 - 12:43