The Co-op deal means that the UK Fuels network now totals over 2,950 sites with cards accepted at 75% of the UK’s independently owned filling stations.
The Co-op is increasing its presence in fuel filling stations and is currently looking for opportunities across the UK to acquire and redevelop, both existing and new to industry filling station locations. Since 2015 the Co-op has invested over £40m into forecourt shop and fuel projects. The investment involves the replacement and renewal of the filling station infrastructure including tanks, pumps and canopies, together with the replacement and extension of the onsite Co-op stores.
For UK Fuels, the agreement with Co-op is one of the largest contracts signed in the independently owned sector and comes on the back of a 24% growth in the UK Fuels network last year. Within the small to medium-sized fleet sector UK Fuels is the largest fuel card provider, the company is also a supplier of branded fuel cards issued by the major fuel companies in the UK.
“The Co-op has ambitious plans to increase its forecourt business and we see the agreement with UK Fuels as a key development,” said Eddie Jenkinson, national fuels manager, Co-op.
“It will enable UK Fuels’ card holders to use the Co-op operated forecourts at 133 locations across the UK. This will boost the numbers of people filling up with fuel and it will enable us to showcase food for now and food to go offers in forecourt convenience shops to new customers.”
“Long respected as the group behind the local grocery store, the Co-op is perfectly placed to meet the needs of the growing demand for convenience stores at filling stations,” added James Higgins, head of UK network, UK Fuels.