Aug 14 2011
Attendants independent struggle for survival
The attendant of the Magi does not believe in miracles. In this village of the Cevennes Gard, Jacky controller takes the last independent station. "When I moved in 1984, there were eight stations on the road, remember Jacky, a bit fatalistic. I will be retired in a year, and no one will resume the activity. "
The disappearance of the gas station of the Magi was certainly inevitable. In 1985, there were 29,750 service stations, according to the French Union of Petroleum Industries (Ufip). Since the network has disintegrated. They were more last year than 7149, only 1538 independent. Regression for the benefit of a large area stations: 2250 26 years ago, they are now 4902.
Financial support
But to make matters worse, the service station owners are now faced with a challenge.Finance the upgrading of their facilities necessitated by the transposition of European directives into French law, whose applications are expected for a period from 2013 to 2020.
These regulations impose progressively strengthen the provisions for recovering gasoline vapors during the refueling of vehicles to fight against air pollution, compliance with new distances "between the devices and distribution from a public establishment or of a building inhabited "rearrangements of tracks, but also the installation of double-walled tanks.
"There's € 20 000," says Jacky Regula. The attendant of the Magi is all the more bitter than the prices differ by only a penny from the Intermarché neighbor. "I'm fighting with my cash and pay my suppliers in five days to get the best price.But to be profitable, it takes at least a margin of seven cents per liter, "says he.
"These obligations can result in decisions to stop activity by owner-operators with two main reasons: the high level of investment and the inability to meet the new standards such as safety distances," warns the Ufip.
Brigitte Bros., owner of the resort village of Lozère Malbouzon (160 inhabitants), near the A75 motorway, is categorical: "The standards being too expensive. It will not work. "Just for the two pumps, estimate amount to € 60 000. "It is amortized over a hundred years, she joked. The station is to be helpful. There are not many in the corner. It is open seven days a weekIt's a real public service. "
Brigitte Bros. has yet stepped up efforts to keep his business, where a liter of diesel is € 1.55, or about 16 cents more than in a supermarket. Managed for nine years by Evelyne Perret is the only gas pump to 10 miles around, and one of the five supply points independent of the department.With about 6000 liters of fuel sold each month, the station scrapes, supported by the activity of the restaurant, coffee Perret, with its workers to 12 € menu.
At the number of closures announced, the Professional Committee of the fuel distribution has developed budgets that can partially support the small owner.
ALSO READ:
"FIGARO SELECT – How to fix the price of gasoline
»COMPUTER GRAPHICS – Change the fuel prices
"Why the drop in oil is reflected at the pump hurt
"Oil is the lowest since November
Comments Off
