Eco friendly filling station celebrations

With six fuel pumps, a dedicated high speed lorry diesel pump, forecourt and shop, Harry Tuffins staff at Ludlow, Shropshire are celebrating and toasting the success of the company’s latest shop and first advanced forecourt fuel vapour recovery system as the family independent retailer and Nisa member begins a second year of trading in the historic and picturesque town.

With only one other petrol station locally, the opening of a sixth Harry Tuffins shop and petrol forecourt on the A49 heralded a significant and unique development in the area that incorporated an environmentally advanced forecourt fuel delivery system.

Ludlow manager, Ed Prosser, said: “This year has flown by for all of us. The local community have been most supportive, with positive comments being made on our range of locally sourced produce and we’ve lost track on the comments made about the ‘lack’ of fumes from our pumps; fantastic news for our customers and for the local environment.”

With an active environmental policy to work to reduce road miles on products sold within Harry Tuffins shops, the company decided to invest in the most technologically advanced Stage 2 Vapour Recovery systems at Ludlow, known as VRII. The fuel system is designed to capture fuel vapours from the dispensing pump nozzle; returning fumes and vapour safely back to underground tanks. Said Ed: “By not allowing volatile vapours to escape into the atmosphere we protect our local environment, the general public, our customers and staff from any possible toxic vapours released during the fuelling process. Selling food and petrol, the benefit to the public is immense.”

As part of this ongoing strategy of environmental responsibility, Harry Tuffins is aware that by working to provide environmental and eco-friendly solutions, they deliver on consumer demand to do business with an environmental and socially responsible business.

Developed by Tokheim, the system was the first fully integrated 100% self-calibrating, monitored, vapour recovery system within the UK. Additionally, integrated into the dispensers for the enjoyment of Harry Tuffins customers are the latest “Vidium” multimedia systems – 12” full colour, wide-angle screens with stereo sound.

Said Ed: “In-store special offers together with local information is broadcast onto the display screens. Filling up at Harry Tuffins Ludlow has brought a whole new enjoyment factor to what would normally be a purely functional routine.”