Small fuel stations in battle to survive
Independent petrol stations across Shropshire and Mid Wales today said they were finding it "impossible" to compete with major retailers as fuel prices rose to an all-time high.Independent petrol stations across Shropshire and Mid Wales today said they were finding it "impossible" to compete with major retailers as fuel prices rose to an all-time high. The average price of a litre of petrol at the pumps is now 120p, eclipsing the previous peak of 119.7p reached in July 2008, the RAC said. Many smaller retailers said they were left selling fuel at a price which made them as little as 1p profit per litre. Quatford Service Station, near Bridgnorth, sells unleaded fuel at 123.8p per litre and diesel at 123.9. But a spokeswoman said there was very little mark-up for the small rural business. "Customers forget that the big supermarkets sell fuel as a loss-leader to get people into their stores," she said. Read more in the Shropshire Star
Independent petrol stations across Shropshire and Mid Wales today said they were finding it "impossible" to compete with major retailers as fuel prices rose to an all-time high.
The average price of a litre of petrol at the pumps is now 120p, eclipsing the previous peak of 119.7p reached in July 2008, the RAC said. Many smaller retailers said they were left selling fuel at a price which made them as little as 1p profit per litre.
Quatford Service Station, near Bridgnorth, sells unleaded fuel at 123.8p per litre and diesel at 123.9.
But a spokeswoman said there was very little mark-up for the small rural business.
"Customers forget that the big supermarkets sell fuel as a loss-leader to get people into their stores," she said.
"Small rural filling stations have been hit by huge business rate rises brought in by the government and as a small business we have to pay for this.
"Our business has to compete on price with Tesco which sells fuel cheaper in Bridgnorth and it is impossible to do this."
In north Shropshire, Morrisons at Market Drayton was today selling unleaded for 118.9p a litre, while the Prees Heath and Whit-church Bypass Service Station were both charging 121.9p.
Petrol prices remained fairly constant across Telford and the surrounding areas although one — Murco in Bridgnorth Road, Madeley, was charging 130.9 for super unleaded this morning. It was 120.9 for normal unleaded and 122.9 for diesel.
At the independent Trench Lock 24/7 garage in Trench Lock, unleaded was a bit cheaper at 119.9 with diesel 121.9, while at Tong Self Serve, near Shifnal, it was 120.9 and 121.9 respectively.
At Budgens in Cosford the price was 121.9 for unleaded and 122.9 for diesel.
In south Shropshire, David Griffiths, owner of Griffiths Garage in Leintwardine, said their petrol and diesel currently stands at 121.9.
He added: "It is a total frustration for everyone. I think the only consolation to me is that everyone is similar at the moment.
"I imagine people will now start thinking about their journeys and whether there is a need for them. If there are not so many people travelling by they don't stop at the shop.
"They are questioning the purpose of the journeys and whether there is a need for them."
