THE petrol station trade is stalling – and a Huddersfield insider said it will get worse before it gets better.

About 150 filling stations have closed in the UK this year, taking the total number to fewer than 9,500.

Chris Stern, managing director of Paddock-based CV Stern Oils Ltd, who is a member of the Petrol Retailer Association (PRA), said it was the lowest number since 1912.

He added: “There have been a dozen closures in and around Huddersfield in the past few years and that is reflected in the fact that you see a lot of old forecourts being turned into apartment blocks.

“At Birchencliffe and Newsome there are flats going up and on Westbourne Road Tesco Express have opened a new outlet.

“A lot of them have been sold for alternative use because of land values.

“We will see a further decline in numbers in the coming years as fewer people want to take on a business that isn’t worthwhile.

“Environmental pressures will also have an impact.

“It will probably level out at below the 8,000 mark.”

The PRA said the situation could become critical for motorists if the number of forecourts continued to fall at the current rate.

Director Ray Holloway said: “Motorists are now noticing gaps in fuel availability and, if it gets worse, as expected, they will certainly be inconvenienced when searching for a forecourt in some areas.

“Closures are not just in rural areas either.

“Urban closures are causing equal inconvenience for motorists. Oil company outlets are being closed as fast as independents are forced out of business.

“Strong supermarket growth since the 1990s and the resulting squeeze on margins has made motor fuel retailing a very unprofitable business.”

But Mr Stern said drivers in Huddersfield had no need to worry yet.

He said: “At the moment people in Huddersfield don’t have to go far to fill up, but out in rural areas it is becoming an issue.

“It’s not a brilliant situation, but those that have survived generally speaking will probably survive in future because the big shake-out has already taken place.”