The disappearing petrol station

Oil companies are shutting petrol stations and even outsourcing accountancy services to Poland in a drive to cut costs despite making record profits.

Eleven forecourts a week are now being closed and the number owned by oil companies – rather than supermarkets or other retailers – fell by more than 300 last year, figures from the Energy Institute show. Its retail marketing survey reveals that Britain now has fewer forecourts than in 1914 – even though combined diesel and petrol sales set a record last year.

guardian