FT awards finalists

The finalists for the 2011 Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards have now been announced. For the full list of finalists, go to www.forecourttraderawards.co.uk

ConocoPhillips split

ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has approved pursuing the separation of the company’s Refining & Marketing and Exploration & Production businesses into two standalone, publicly traded corporations via a tax-free spin of the refining and marketing business to ConocoPhillips shareholders.

Flood prevention

Independent retailer Charles Richards, who runs St Blazey Service Station in Cornwall with his father Barrie, is helping the government with flood prevention. As chairman of the Par and St Blazey Community Flood Group, Charles has been asked to submit a case study to appear on the Cabinet Office website.

Sites up for sale

Former Forecourt Trader of the Year Jonathan James has confirmed that two of his sites in Cambridgeshire are up for sale in a bid to free more of his time to work on industry ventures. The sale of Slade End and West Park Street Service Stations in Chatteris will leave James Graven, of which Jonathan is operations director, with two forecourts one in Ely and another in Littleport plus two standalone Budgens operations, and a business park in development.

Fuel promotion

The 10ppl fuel promotion that triggered a price war between the supermarkets is nothing new Top 50 Indie Harry Tuffins has been doing it for three years. The Powys-based forecourt and standalone c-store operator offers 10ppl off fuel for a minimum spend of £60 in-store permanently, putting them "well ahead of the multiples", says managing director Paul Delves.