The Craggs Fuel Station, which has a yard suitable for cars, vans, LCV’s and HGVs, is typically only open only to UK Fuels and KeyFuels fuel card holders during working hours. However, as local stations either had a very small distribution limit or were completely empty, they were able to open up the depot to support the local community with supplies of diesel.
In the one week they opened their doors early morning and late into every evening to all members of their community to help ease the pressure; they welcomed charities, district nurses, emergency service workers, farmers, local businesses and, of course, the general public.
The business was very proud of their team and the way they handled the challenge of helping as many customers through their doors as possible – in all weathers!
Appreciation from those helped
Feedback from the people who benefitted from Craggs community-minded initiative shows just how vital this lifeline was: “I’m a district nurse and was so relieved that Craggs offered fuel to the public as it got me out of a sticky situation. The last thing we needed after Covid was another crisis affecting people who are vulnerable and need services to stay healthy. The team were excellent and very helpful, I would use this local business exclusively for fuel – what a change meeting a business with a social conscience. Keep up the good work.”
“It’s refreshing that a local firm has gone out of its way to help out the local community when they could easily have looked the other way. Without their very helpful staff and “diesel”, I could have been unable to go to work and, as I drive HGVs for a supermarket, it could have had further ramifications. So, I would just like to wish you and your business all the best for the future.”
Keeping everyone moving
Kevin Jackson, Craggs Fuel Cards sales manager said: ‘It was clear to us from the very start that demand for our services was going to be high. With local forecourts running low on fuel stocks and, in many cases, completely closed, we wanted to be able to help and support not just our local businesses but the local community at large, keeping everyone moving where possible.
“To give you an idea of just how much of a demand there was for our services; the average UK forecourt sells 8,000 litres of fuel stocks per day, with anywhere between 8-12 pumps on their forecourt. In the 4 days we were open, we processed just over 22,000 litres of diesel transactions to the general public alone – an average of 5,500 litres per day.
“What made this even more astounding was the fact we only have 1 fuel pump in our yard that can be used at any one time. All this was in addition to serving our commercial customers with their Keyfuels and UK Fuels fuel cards.”