PETROL stations across the UK are struggling to keep up with deman d – due to a surge in panic buying.
More than half of non-motorway garages are low on fuel – but what does that mean for supermarket forecourts?
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Motorists have reported that some supermarkets have run out of petrol, but retailers have insisted there is a good supply of fuel.
Despite industry calls not to panic buy, petrol stations ran low on fuel over the weekend – with some forced to close – as drivers queued to stock up.
Industry figures said there isn’t a lack of petrol but a shortage of lorry drivers to deliver it to garages.
The surge in demand came after BP said on Friday that it was planning to ration petrol and close sites due to the lorry driver shortfall.
Tesco
Tesco, which has suffered temporary outages in a small number of locations, said it has “good availability of fuel”.
A spokesperson said: “We’re working really hard to ensure regular deliveries to our petrol filling stations across the UK every day.”
The supermarket, which has 500 petrol stations and a further 200 that are operated by Esso, is not rationing fuel.
Morrisons
Morrisons has not confirmed how many of its sites are suffering from shortages.
The supermarket said it is a “rapidly moving situation”.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We are working hard with our suppliers to ensure we can continue to keep our pumps open and serve our customers.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused during this time.”
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s said it was unable to provide details on which of its petrol stations had been affected.
That’s because sites are opening and closing in line with petrol deliveries.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “We’re experiencing high demand for fuel. We’re working closely with our supplier to maintain supply and all our sites continue to receive fuel.”
Asda
Asda said on Friday that all of its fuel stations were operating as normal, but the situation has likely changed over the weekend.
The supermarket has 320 petrol stations across the UK.
The Sun has contacted Asda for further comment.
Asda was snapped up by new owners last year – British billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, the tycoons behind, EG Group, a global convenience and forecourts retailer.
Susanna Reid slams ‘crackers’ government over fuel crisis and asks ‘where are they?’
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