Innerleithen Road Filling Station to re-open

Published 17 Jul 2009 13:46 1 Comment

PEEBLES' Innerleithen Road Filling Station is to re-open under new ownership.

David Harrison Ltd, who also run the Shell station at Crossburn on the Edinburgh Road, are the new owners and they are currently in the throes of getting the site up and running again.

The site will be branded with Esso fuel and the shop is being completely refitted as a SPAR outlet.

Peebles has been left with only one filling station for the past three months and as a result, Peebles' only other garage, Harrison's on Edinburgh Road, has been considerably busier with queues of vehicles up to 15 minutes long at the pumps.

The Innerleithen Road garage, closed for business in April after owner Dolphin Retail, which runs 22 such premises throughout Britain, was forced into liquidation.

It was always felt that any proposed re-opening would happen quite quickly to take advantage of the passing summer tourist trade.

A spokesman for Dolphin Retail said at the time of the closure which saw eight people lose their jobs: 'The business is quite a profitable one but has become another victim of this banking crisis.'

Robert Harrison, of David Harrison Ltd, this week said: 'What we need in Tweeddale is stability with consistently good service and we are delighted to be proving our continued commitment to Peebles and outlying parts.

'This reopening will also provide added employment in these uncertain times as well as creating a positive welcome to visitors to the town.

'Since we are having the petrol tanks completely cleaned with new fuel pumps and the shop refitted it will take us a few weeks to be ready but by around mid-August we expect to be up and running.'

Local Councillor Catriona Bhatia said: 'It's fantastic to have this garage back in operation because hasn't looked good for visitors to the town.

'I've seen many tourists pull in there only to be left confused by the defunct pumps. If any of them drive off down the Innerleithen Road then it's Galashiels before they find one.

'This business and tourist trade will now be staying in Peebles. The creation of jobs is also a more than welcome boost to the local economy.'

Peebles Community Council chairman Ian Wilson echoed this. He said: 'It's great news for Peebles that this garage is re-opening again.

'Harrison's Edinburgh Road was obviously not big enough to cope, as people queued for up to 15 minutes all along the Edinburgh Road.

'Tourists must wonder what's going on when the town has only one petrol station. It's fantastic also in this current climate that jobs will once again be created at the site.'

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 17 Jul 09

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Kirstine Devine
  Unregistered User
  Aug 5, 14:26
  Report comment

  Just a shame that there will be no competition between the stations for pricing.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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