13/12/2024
Back in 1970, the UK was dotted with 37,539 petrol stations—you could barely drive through a village without seeing one. Fast forward to 2021, and that number has plummeted to just 8,380. What happened? Let’s dive in:
1️⃣ Supermarket Takeover
Remember when independent stations were everywhere? Well, the rise of supermarket giants like Tesco and Morrison’s changed the game. They lured customers with unbeatable fuel prices—often a key reason for that supermarket run!
2️⃣ Bigger Fuel Tanks = Less Stops
Cars today are like camels—they carry more fuel. With larger tanks and better fuel efficiency, the need to stop so frequently has vanished.
3️⃣ The Rural Squeeze
It’s rural areas that have felt the pinch the most. As stations closed, locals had to drive further just to fill up, adding inconvenience to their journeys.
4️⃣ The Rise of Big Oil Chains
Back in the 1960s and ‘70s, oil companies started snapping up independent stations, creating branded chains. It streamlined the market but squeezed out the little guys.
What’s your take on this? Do you remember a favourite local petrol station from back in the day? Or maybe you’ve noticed how supermarket stations dominate the scene now?
