Fuel prices and supermarket competition are being blamed for the closure of a Telford petrol station. Family-run Trench Lock Garage was closed this week with the loss of five jobs.The family behind the filling station and shop said it was easier to channel their resources into their other business on the site, Enterprise Garage, which is involved in car sales, servicing, parts, MoT and bodywork repair work.
Marilyn Mustone, whose son, Marco, ran the business bought by her late husband, Bruno, in 2000, said: “The decision is much as anything because there an awful lot of outlay for very little return and it’s also very unsociable hours.”
The forecourt and shop closed on Tuesday and an announcement was made to staff on Wednesday. Enterprise Garage is continuing to trade on the same site.
Steve Piper, accountant for both businesses, said: “There is not a lot of money in fuel and with the prices the way they were going unfortunately they couldn’t sustain it any more.”
Mr Piper said the petrol station had initially been trading well, but the turnover from fuel sales had gradually halved.
He said they had gone from selling about three million litres of fuel a year in about 2002 to 1.2 million in recent months and said the situation had been getting ridiculous.
Mr Piper criticised the Government for helping to “kill business” such as Trench Lock Garage and for not making taxation easier.
By Lisa Rowley
Loading ...
Share this article:
What are these?