GB Oils has acquired the trading assets of Top 50 Indie Calanike Retailing, the 19-strong filling station network with sites in Scotland and Northern England.

Glasgow-based Calanike, which employs 151 staff and has an annual throughput of 30 million litres, was placed in receivership in January this year. One of the 19 sites has already closed and GB Oils plans to close another, leaving it with 17 operational company-owned forecourts.

Ramsay MacDonald, director of retail at GB Oils, said: "We see great potential in this acquisition while also adding a new dimension to our UK forecourt activity. We now have a small company-owned network from which to test and refine new ideas and concepts, and market new products and promotions before rolling out to our dealer network.

"It’s a very exciting departure and one that has been warmly welcomed by the independent retailers we have counselled."

The free-of-tie business has established a significant footprint across the central belt of Scotland and will continue to be managed locally from GB Oils’ office in Larbert, Scotland. Current suppliers Esso and BP have been invited to continue for the foreseeable future.

"Our immediate aim is to improve the day-to-day operation with minimal disruption," added MacDonald. "Understandably, since the receivers were appointed in January, there has been little or no investment and we shall rectify this. A good bunch of people work for the group and they can be reassured that GB Oils has the resources to take the business forward."