MFG says ‘ready to support local communities’ as rural forecourts face closure  

Leading independent forecourt operator Motor Fuel Group (MFG) said it is committed to stay open despite the sharp decline in fuel sales on account of the travel restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petrol consumption was down by 75 percent and diesel by 71 percent, according to the latest official figures.

William Bannister, chief executive of MFG, said the firm will keep providing valuable local services.

“As a designated ‘essential business’ providing fuel and groceries, our service stations are therefore ready to support their local communities – particularly the elderly, health workers and people in need. We are determined to play our part, helping people cope throughout the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

However, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) warned that the ‘stay at home’ instructions are proving to be a challenge for many petrol stations, coupled with staff shortages and unrelenting fuel price competition from supermarkets.

“To help freight move and help key workers travel safely and independently through this period of crisis, petrol filling stations must remain open, but this is proving to be a challenge for many filling stations,” said Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA.

The trade body representing independent fuel retailers said the problem is particularly severe in rural areas, as the dwindling fuel sales make the business unviable and threaten closure.

“We will aim to keep a strategic network of petrol stations open across the country, but people should check their petrol station is open before they go to fill up,” a statement from the association said.

PRA urged the government to instruct fuel suppliers to give the same 60-day credit terms to independent filling stations as they give to the supermarkets to mitigate the crisis.

“Petrol stations are the government’s tax collectors, with duty and VAT representing 70 per cent of the pump price. It is in their interests that we remain open for business,” Madderson said.