Set up in 2012, PIS specialise in forecourt installation. Its clients include Maxol, Applegreen, Texaco, Topaz and Solo.

Its new owner, Lancashire-based LCM fuel, has been involved in the fuel, energy and infrastructure sector for 35 years.

The company said PIS Ireland will benefit from new business opportunities, an expanded fleet, and wider petrochemical services for the British market.

General manager of the Belfast firm, Colin Doyle, said the two businesses complement each other well.

“Since we established PIS Ireland in 2012, the company has gained a prominent reputation within our sector, and we have formed strong relationships with a multitude of clients across Ireland and the UK,” he said.

“As such, we are now in an excellent position to achieve considerable further expansion alongside the LCM team.”

LCM is headed by Belfast-born chief executive Richard Wallace.

“It has been a long-term goal of LCM Environmental to acquire an Irish base and expand overseas,” he said.

“We are happy to announce that this is now a reality, and we look forward to integrating PIS (Ireland) within the company.

“PIS Ireland has accomplished significant growth over the past 10 years and has taken over a big share of the retail and commercial market throughout the island of Ireland and completed fuel management and forecourt installations in England.

“They have shown remarkable skill sets and determination in developing their business and upskilling their workforce. Becoming a part of the LCM group was the logical next step in their expansion plans – and one that has been completed successfully in a seven-figure deal.”

He added: “After several acquisitions, the start of the new LCM Group marks a new beginning for us and as a business, we are more determined than ever to keep growing within the industry and reach new heights in the coming months.”

The acquisition was facilitated by SCC Accountants (Sean Cavanagh and Kathy Daly) and O’Reilly and Stewart Solicitors (Seamus McGranaghan and Conor Cleverley).

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The succulent breaded chicken baguette is topped with an Asian style Katsu sauce, and since debuting on Circle K’s deli menu in 2020, over 2,500 litres of the delicious  sauce has been used to make the scrumptious meal on-the-go.

The news comes as Circle K, in response to the cult following the Katsu Chicken Roll has amassed since it was introduced to the deli menu, and in an effort to please Katsu flavour lovers even more, has now launched Katsu Loaded Fries to deli stores across Ireland, excluding Circle K Express.

Foodies will be thrilled to hear that they can now get a Katsu fix in more ways than one at Circle K, and the Loaded Fries also come with other choices for toppings too, including Taco Chilli Beef and Garlic. Also joining the deli menu is a brand-new range of chicken wings which come in five different flavours: Frank’s Hot Sauce, Korean BBQ, Sriracha, Sweet Chilli and Traditional BBQ, meaning that whatever your topping preference, Circle K caters to all, and will leave you ‘savour-wing’ every bite.

Mary McDonald, Senior Category Manager, Circle K Ireland, said: e are delighted that our unique spin on deli staples, such as the Katsu Chicken Roll, has proven to be a huge hit with our customers nationwide and we are excited to bring even more unique food options to our deli menu. Building strong relationships with our suppliers is crucial in developing new products and staying ahead of trends, I’d like to thank our suppliers for their continued support and dedication to our company.”

For more information on Circle K’s new deli menu additions and where to purchase a car tray, visit circlek.ie, Circle K Ireland on Facebook or @circlekireland on Twitter and Instagram.

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That’s the grim finding from RGDATA, which recently reported that energy costs increases are crippling the sector after it su8rveyed  its 3,500 retail members.

While some retailers have been able to limit the impact of the cost increases through affinity schemes, many of these schemes are now expiring and new elevated rates will apply. Some retailers have also been able to reduce consumption through retrofitting stores, but the costs associated with this are prohibitive for smaller shops.

Retailers have called for immediate government action to stem rising energy costs and for interim emergency measures to assist with meeting the cost of the energy hikes.

“Of 1,200 shops surveyed, all reported increases in energy costs, with most reporting a doubling in electricity charges with some experiencing increases of up to 400%.

70% of the respondents were with Electric Ireland, with the remainder supplied by Energia, SSE, Pinergy, and Panda, and all respondents reported that they have very little scope to reduce energy costs by reducing usage given the demands of refrigeration, heat and light in shops.

All respondents believe that the energy market has failed and that the Government needs to intervene.

The vast majority of retailers surveyed believe that the energy companies are manipulating the energy crisis to maximise profits and prices. 80% of retailers said that the Government needs to introduce price caps on energy prices, with 70% calling for energy credits to be introduced on bills. 40% called for the reintroduction of the wage subsidy scheme to assist businesses struggling to manage costs as a consequence of energy price hikes.

Retailers indicated that the energy crisis would push them to take drastic actions, with 80% citing reduction of overheads including staff costs; 30% considering increasing prices and 30% warning they may cease trading if energy costs continue at the current levels.

One Co Mayo retailer said this crisis was going to do more damage to small business than the pandemic ever did, while another retailer in Co Roscommon described crying on receiving the latest bill which had increased by 300% since January.

Another in Co Mayo said: “We are a small country convenience store and feel that price increases will push our customers to the discounters. I will have to lay off staff to cover the electricity bill or consider closing our deli for the winter.”

A Co Sligo retailer commented: “We are devastated. We survived Covid and this is worse.  We can’t trade out of this position.”

RGDATA Director General, Tara Buckley said: “The rates of increased electricity prices being imposed on food retailers are shocking and cannot be sustained. These shops, which are significant local employers and are a core part of the local community infrastructure throughout Ireland, cannot sustain electricity price increases of up to 400% in some instances.”

Red more in the latest edition of Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Retailer. 

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Conor and Eimear Moran and Jonathan Mailey from the store picked up the award at a gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Belfast.

Independently judged by Spotcheck, the awards were judged to exacting standards over a three-month period.

The judges commented: “This busy forecourt was exceptionally clean and tidy and provided a great range of services.  Staff were well informed, professional, and efficient creating good rapport with their customers.”

Now in their 26th year, the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards reward excellence, recognise achievement, raise industry standards, and reward entrepreneurial spirit and are Northern Ireland’s most prestigious retail awards.

Commenting on the awards, Paddy Murney, retail sales director for Centra said: “Congratulations to our retail partners the Moran family who, along with their team at Moran’s Centra Coleraine, have been honoured at the Neighbourhood Retail Awards. This win is testament to the great value, customer service and extensive offering across the store and I am delighted the store team has been recognised for its commitment to serving the local community with the best in modern convenience retailing.”

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A 12-day strike is expected to begin on November 21 after members of the General, Municipal and Boilermakers Union (GMB) at Exxonmobil’s Fawley Oil Refinery in Southampton voted to take industrial action.

Fawley is the UK’s largest refinery, supplying a sixth of petrol stations and all airports.

It is feared that the maintenance workers’ stoppage, which is expected to also affect deliveries, will hit the fuel pumps of garages across the south of England.

A spokesman for the GMB said: “We have issued a strike notice to various employers whose workers are based at the site in Southampton.

“The dispute revolves around an Incentive Bonus Arrangement (IBA) which has been previously paid to workers but has been refused.”

Bryan Hulley, GMB Regional Organiser, said there is a ‘”real possibility” that supplies of petrol could be affected by the strike action between November 21 and December 2.

He added: “Our members work hard in arduous and hazardous conditions, outside in all weathers, to repair and maintain process units.

“Without their efforts, breakdowns cannot be repaired and maintenance work to prevent breakdowns will not be carried out, so there is a real possibility that supplies of petroleum products could be affected.

“Given the current cost of living crisis, it is only fair that the employers put their hands in their pockets and reinstate this allowance, to which our members should be entitled.

“Industrial action is the last resort and it is a shame it has come to this but the employers know where we are if they would like to talk to us.”

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