Independent forecourt retailers are being forced to temporarily shut down petrol pumps to mitigate the impact of rising costs, amid wider concerns over their survivability.

Prices of diesel and petrol began to soar at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last month, they rose to record levels, increasing the cost of filling up an average-sized car by £9.

Andrew Johnson, owner of Dafarn Newydd Store in Powys, announced this month that it would temporarily close its fuel pumps, for the first time.

He told betterRetailing: “The decision was very difficult to make, but it’s essential in helping bring down business costs. We are reviewing the situation every day. We used to buy 1,000l of fuel for £1,400, and now it’s £2,000.”

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