COOKSTOWN's first fully automated petrol station opened last week and took on the major multiples by slashing prices and offering the cheapest fuel in town.
GO, part of Cookstown-based energy company LCC Group, opened its new site on the town’s Moneymore Road and led the local petrol price war by setting its opening prices at 107.9p per litre of unleaded and 119.9p for diesel.
As well as competitive p
rices, the new station also benefits customers by being time efficient and convenient - as the station is run solely by innovative pay at pump technology, there is no time spent queuing in a shop and it also allows for 24 hour opening.
LCC Group director Daniel Loughran explains how the new site operates and why the company decided to introduce this new format into Northern Ireland.
“The site is fully automated which means there’s no requirement for it to be manned or have an adjoining shop,” said Mr Loughran.
“While this is an unusual system for Northern Ireland, it’s very simple to use and translates into competitive fuel prices for our customers. Given the current economic climate, we felt it was the right time to introduce it,” he added.
“While it’s perhaps a brave move to take on the major multiples, we’re pleased to break their monopolisation of the market, add a bit of healthy competition and offer the cheapest fuel in town, if not Northern Ireland.
“The new forecourt is very easy to use - customers simply drive to a pump where they’ll be prompted to insert a credit or debit card, enter their pin number, fill their tank as required, replace the nozzle, collect a receipt and drive off.
“We accept all major credit and debit cards and supply a complete fuel package including premium unleaded, ultra low sulphur diesel, super unleaded and red diesel.
“So far, the response has been fantastic. We’ve seen a steady stream of customers through the forecourt with many taking advantage of our 24 hour opening and refuelling late in the evenings and early in the morning,” concluded Mr Loughran.
GO fuel is sourced directly from Norwegian oil giant, Statoil, and distributed from Europe’s newest oil import terminal LSS Ltd, located at Maydown, Co Londonderry.
GO was established in 2006 and has introduced a vibrant image and new innovative ideas to the Irish forecourt market. It currently has 15 sites across Ireland.
The full article contains 410 words and appears in Mid Ulster Mail Cookstown newspaper.
