MP for Bracknell Dr Phillip Lee recently visited a garage within the town to recognise the important role that forecourt stores play in the community.
According to the Association of Convenience Stores’ quarterly Investment Tracker there are 8,748 fuel forecourt stores in the UK. Their figures also show that the independent forecourt invests an average of £16,603 per store per year, and that 84% of independent retailers engaged in some form of community activity over the past year.
Dr Phillip Lee MP said, “Small independent shops like these are the lifeblood of a community and I doubt if there is anyone who has not been grateful that their local forecourt has been open when they have run out of something important.
“However, it is not an easy job and it is made more difficult by the issue of retail crime, which can be especially damaging to small businesses. It is important that we see effective solutions and it is a matter that I will be raising with my ministerial colleagues at the Ministry of Justice.”