UK: Murco Brand Brings Success to Rural Independent Dealers

The change in supplier has not only enabled lower prices but also brought bright new branding from Murco to smarten up the service station. Supplying 460 service stations nationwide, Murco processes fuel at its own refinery at Milford Haven before transporting it by rail to its terminal at Westerleigh from where its tanker fleet completes the last stage of the journey to service stations.

With Murco handling the entire process, there is no middleman to add to costs, so prices can remain as low as possible for customers while at the same time leaving a necessary margin for supplier and retailers.

In addition to fuel, Ilfracombe Service Station is stocked with news, confectionery and other goods as well as an extensive selection of vehicle spares. As a family of motor engineers, Geoff and his family have been running service stations in Ilfracombe since 1974 and the present station in the High Street since 1984, having purchased it outright in 1990. Geoff runs the station with his son, Ben Aston, and brother-in-law, Colin Lunn, and as well as selling petrol and diesel they undertake minor running repairs for customers, such as changing lightbulbs.

"Takings were up on the first day," said director Geoff Aston. "We've had a very good response from people. Many have been saying they have been going to Barnstaple because the fuel was expensive, but now they'll come back here."

PetrolWorld 300110