Cheltenham drivers get cheaper petrol
There may only be a few miles between them but Gloucester drivers are getting a raw deal at the pumps compared to motorists in Cheltenham.
People in the city are paying an average of almost 2p more a litre for unleaded petrol than their Spa town counterparts, according to price watchdog Petrolprices.com.
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Out of 21 retailers in Gloucester and 15 in Cheltenham, the difference between the cheapest forecourts in both areas is 3p per litre.
The best value unleaded petrol in Cheltenham, was at Waitrose in Honeybourne Way, costing 105.9p per litre, while drivers pay 108.9p per litre for the cheapest fuel in Gloucester.
Competitive
Emma Gardner, who owns garages in Cheltenham, Huntley and Hucclecote, said her prices were not different across the area boundaries.
She said the supermarkets were the only petrol retailers able to offer low, competitive prices, and the rest of the business had to try to keep up.
Emma said: "Our prices are only a penny cheaper in Cheltenham than in Huntley and Hucclecote.
"The prices are dictated by the supermarkets. We try to keep up with the competition.
"I don't know why the prices are so different."
Paul Hanlon, manager of Abbey Cars in Gloucester, said: "I think it's a bit like a postcode lottery.
"It's a bit like being charged different prices for the same item at two different Tesco stores, and I don't think it's a fair reflection of the price of fuel.
"If we drop off anywhere near Cheltenham, we do usually nip in to fill up."
One Stroud driver said he timed filling his car with fortnightly trips to Cheltenham.
He said: "Where I live, petrol is always so much more expensive.
"I go over to Cheltenham once every two weeks for work, and I always buy a full tank when I'm there, because I can save so much money.
"It seems ridiculous that drivers like me are being forced to choose Cheltenham businesses over those in Stroud because I can save serious money by doing so."
In a statement made to the Competition Commission earlier this year after a customer complained Tesco benchmarked its prices against rivals within a 30-mile radius, the retailer said on its website: "The entry of the supermarkets into petrol retailing has intensified competition in the sector and brought about significant benefits for customers.
"However, the nature of the petrol business is such that Tesco and other supermarkets are able to exert control over only a tiny part of the retail price.
"The remainder is attributable to the world price movements of what is a commodity product, as well as to duty and VAT."
27 Comments
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by Fat Sam, Abbeymead, Gloucestershire
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 1:46PM
“Oh deary me, John Read, Cheltenham. yet another stuck-up Cheltonian who couldn't resist a dig at Gloucester residents' apparent inability to afford something. Your jibes are as cheap as your fuel.
Clearly, you're an outcast in your own town in terms of intelligence. Economic laws actually suggest that when demand outstrips supply things get more expensive.”
by Chris Martin, Chelteham
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 6:25AM
“To be honest, what normally makes me choose petrol station is the lack of queues for the pumps on the forecourt, price is secondary. Cant believe that no one has looked at the workflow of a forecourt and why do they close half the forecourt down at night, surely the demand should justify the amount of pumps open.”
by john read, cheltenham
Monday, November 23 2009, 11:39PM
“its a simple case of economics. the more use of pumps in chelt = cheaper.
less use in glos as not many people in glos can afford to drive (legally)”
by Fat Sam, Abbeymead, Gloucestershire
Monday, November 23 2009, 11:03PM
“Alas, the difference between 'branded' and 'supermarket' fuel is all a big myth/marketing con.
Several independent tests (one more recently conducted by Which? using quite a thorough scientific trial) proved this and also proved there was an insignificant difference between unleaded and super-unleaded. It was so marginal as to be of no benefit, given the higher price of super-unleaded.
I've kept a record of all my fuel, distance and mpg ever since I bought my car. Whilst most of you will say I should get out more (I do - in my car!) it also proved no difference.
incidentally, the Which? test reported a long-distance commuter who claimed they got better mpg from a garage in Leeds than in London until someone pointed out Leeds was at a higher altitude.
As much as I begrudge giving Mr Tesco any more of my money their reward scheme effectively gives you 8% off (if you maximise the Rewards with the 4 for 1 deals).
Having said all that I'm quite glad some people will continue to pay higher prices. Just like bank charges do for free banking, it effectively subsidises the commodity for the rest of us, so thank you very much!”
by It bee eye, It bee yer
Monday, November 23 2009, 10:06PM
“If ya gota drive then ewe all gotta pay and remember if ya can how to walk or ride a push bike, and maybe do yerr self some good, elf wize.”
by David, Churchdown
Monday, November 23 2009, 9:47PM
“This has been going on for several years ever since Waitrose opened in Cheltenham the prices dropped 2ppl on average less than Gloucester as soon as the store opened”
by Tight in te Wallet, Awaiting yr call Shell site Glos
Monday, November 23 2009, 8:37PM
“Ary up Cheltenham. Would be viable for me to drive to your farm fuel up with this red engine juice and I pay you instead of these cheating Gloucester shell sites. Nothing wrong in doing a bit of cheating man of the tax office. Lol businesses directors and managers run private cars and cheap company fuel and when it comes to politicians they even fill up cigarette lighters and buy toilet rolls on taxpayer cash. Can we do a deal ary.”
by Phillip Rowe, Matson
Monday, November 23 2009, 6:57PM
“I fail to see why Cheltenham drivers should pay less for there fuel especialy the same brands in Gloucester. I can't understand why Sainsbury's or Texaco or Shell charge more in Gloucester. There should be no regional variations at all. There was once a time when fuel would only increase once a year in the budget, why we have moved from that I do not Know. I know there is trouble in the middle east but there has been on and off for many years.”
by Cheap Fuel User, At Work
Monday, November 23 2009, 4:48PM
“Hi QOS, it cuold be down to any number of issues - testing equipment, human error etc. Having run my car which is 12 years old now, on supermarket fuel for over 2 years, it passed all the emissions tests with flying colours so I'm not sure the fuel is to blame in your case. But the fact that you changed what you did and then got a different result doesn't really mean much. You could have gone on longer journeys, changed your driving style, left half an hour later and got caught in more traffic etc. There are too many variables to assume that that is the reason. However, nothing will change your mind - I am not trying to. Just being objective is all :)”
by Debs, Shurdington
Monday, November 23 2009, 4:45PM
“I've never quite understood why fuel's dearer in Gloucester than Cheltenham; pretty much everywhere else I go there's a correlation between house prices and fuel charged.
Like others, I'll buy away from the area especially if I'm working around Bristol or Swansea where I can usually pay around 5p a litre less than rip off Tesco in Brockworth which is only ever slightly cheaper than the opposition when there's 5p off a litre.
My diesel Golf gets an extra 5mpg when it's filled with Shell fuel rather than Tesco/Morrisons, and as someone who drives around 30k miles a year and can only claim 10p a mile back (****ing tightwad govt) that does make a big difference.”