Why no LPG stations in mid-Hertfordshire

[SteveMJ]

In my recent posting http://www.lpgforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=9508 I was interested in getting larger storage capacity in my car.

This desire to have more storage and range is because there are no LPG stations close to where I live and work - I work in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

What is the incentive for stations to sell LPG? The nearest was Tesco's at Hatfield, but they stopped selling it about a year ago. I presume they made money and it brings custom to their supermarket too. The garage, in Hertford, that did my conversion stopped selling LPG a few months after I had the conversion done - humph.

Any suggestions why a dearth?

Thank you, Steve

[woody]

Try Herts Autogas , they still sell lpg.

woody

[Gilbertd]

You say you work in Stevenage, where do you live? The BP on the southbound A1 just before the Baldock services exit sells LPG and at 71.9ppl, is one of the cheapest I've found too.

[SteveMJ]

Try Herts Autogas , they still sell lpg.

woody

I go there occasionally, but its a trip out in lunch break and they close at 1pm for lunch, so a PITA.

[SteveMJ]

You say you work in Stevenage, where do you live? The BP on the southbound A1 just before the Baldock services exit sells LPG and at 71.9ppl, is one of the cheapest I've found too.

I live in Welwyn - and I have used the Southbound A1 - near Stotfold, but only when I'm passing that way. When I do I have usually filled up at a Wyboston (by the McDonalds).

My original query is that I wonder why no major retailers are in the Stevenage area. Its quits a large poulation to have no LPG outlet - IMO.

Just a point for discussion. I can't influence the retailers except that I would fill up if, say, there was an outlet in Tescos.

Steve

[SimonHobson]

I've often wondered why more retailers don't sell gas. At my local ASDA (just round the corner from work) they completely demolished and rebuilt the fuel bit but still left gas out. In that case I can't help thinking they decided it wasn't worthwhile as there's a Morrisons just round the corner and it would have driven prices (and margins) down - doesn't stop them selling petrol and diesel though !

Conversely, near home we have a Texaco franchise. Talking to the owner a while ago I was having a little dig at having to stand out in the rain at the back end of the forecourt instead of under the canopy. He said he couldn't fit a canopy where the gas pump is - or at least, not a sensible one that would be both useful and high enough. But he was considering having the pump moved alongside the petrol and diesel pumps - but at a cost of £13k I suspect he won't be doing that for a while, if at all.

As part of larger works, I can't see having gas as being that costly to install - and if there's no local competition then you can have healthy profit margins. Margins on petrol and diesel are tiny - in effect they barely cover the cost of running the equipment. It's the shop sales that actually provide the profit. If there's no local competition (and/or you avoid a price war) then the profit margin on gas should be much more attractive.

[Gilbertd]

I wouldn't mind standing out the back on my own. I've lost count of the number of times I've waited to get on an LPG pump while the person in front uses the petrol or diesel pump (when there are plenty of others to choose from but only the one LPG pump) and then goes into the shop to do his weekly shopping before paying for his fuel and getting out of the way!

[SteveMJ]

You say you work in Stevenage, where do you live? The BP on the southbound A1 just before the Baldock services exit sells LPG and at 71.9ppl, is one of the cheapest I've found too.

I live in Welwyn - and I have used the Southbound A1 - near Stotfold, but only when I'm passing that way. When I do I have usually filled up at a Wyboston (by the McDonalds).
Steve

I drove past last night, 80p at Wyboston. 72p (or therabouts) at Stotfold. I know which I prefer

[Gilbertd]

I must admit, when you said you sometimes filled up at Wyboston I did wonder why. It's always been one of the more expensive ones on the A1.....

[mickconvoy]

the BP at buntingford sell only 9 miles from Hertford