IMMEDIATELY before and after the Easter holiday (and subsequently) the major petrol retailers and supermarkets announced a reduction in petrol prices. This was entirely due to the improving situation in the Middle East during, and post, the Iraq war. Very welcome news, particularly as many thousands would be taking an Easter and May weekend break, and fuel savings would be beneficial. Especially important that Chepstow is also the 'Gateway to Wales,' attracting visitors to the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean, areas of outstanding natural beauty, a lure for many tourists.
I myself took a break in Cornwall and would directly benefit. However this news did not seem to register with the two petrol retailers in the Chepstow area. On departure, I managed to take advantage of the significant reduction by using a competing retailer that I passed in Bristol.
On arrival in Cornwall, and whilst driving around it became abundantly obvious that all filling stations and supermarkets were charging 76.9/77.9 per litre for diesel and petrol. Naturally I took advantage of this reduction and used a competing supermarket. On my return home, and the additional announcement of a further reduction, would this now prompt the Chepstow retailers into action? No such luck. We are, of course, in Wales and 'out in the sticks' so to speak.
I have verbally complained to the supermarket retailer (Tesco) in Chepstow requesting if they had any intention of reducing fuel prices. I received a rather arrogant 'No.' It becomes obvious that as there are only two retailers in Chepstow, Texaco being the other, only the customer will lose and both retailers can maximise their fuel profit margin. Managers can then claim of achieving their sales and financial targets.
The claim that bulk fuel delivery charges to Chepstow is more expensive than the far reaches of Cornwall is also a pointless argument. Cornwall is further from any fuel depot than Chepstow.
What is needed in Chepstow is a third retailer that does a 'price watch' campaign. Highly successful in the Bristol area, and particularly Bradley Stoke, where Tesco are forced to charge the same as Esso. Interesting to note, a nearby Texaco station also has to follow suit.
Very large companies claim they have great buying power, and economies of scale, passing on savings to their customers. Sounds a hollow claim in this case, does it not? Value to the customer also rings a bit false.
To be totally fair to both retailers I have formally written to both, hoping for an explanation. Sadly they seem to ignore such letters from their customers, so I now state my case in the local press.
Prices are still high and not competitive, so my advice is when driving around and you see cheaper fuel at competing supermarkets and filling stations, take advantage of the lower prices and fill up. As a consequence I no longer buy fuel in Chepstow. – Barry I. Leat, Earlswood, Chepstow.