PRA urges UK Chancellor to cut fuel duty, warning NI retailers will lose out

Linda Stewart — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:59:12 +0000

The Petrol Retailers Association has urged the UK Chancellor to cut fuel duty, warning that retailers in Northern Ireland are being put at a disadvantage.
Global energy prices are still volatile due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, unduly impacting consumers at the same time as cost-of-living increases, the PRA says.
The PRA is calling on the Chancellor to follow the example of other European countries and cut fuel duty to shield consumers from international events.
The Republic of Ireland (ROI) has cut fuel duty, putting forecourts in Northern Ireland (NI) at a competitive disadvantage as motorists and fleet operators cross the border to fill their tanks.
Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the PRA said: “It is crucial that the Government takes steps to reduce the burden of energy prices on consumers. Government inaction is now impacting our members in NI, who are unable to match the prices of their counterparts across the border. We strongly urge the Chancellor to follow the example of other European countries and cut fuel duty.”
In a letter to the Chancellor, the PRA warned: “We expect that NI residents that can take advantage of the significant difference in pump prices across the border will do so and heavy goods vehicles (HGV) operators will be sending their fleets in greater numbers to ROI border sites to replenish their vehicles, reducing demand for petrol filling stations in NI and hampering their ability to continue their operation through no fault of their own.
“This is putting our NI members at a competitive disadvantage, as it is impossible to match prices across the border without Government intervention.
“While the ROI, along with other European countries, has taken significant steps to shield their consumers and businesses from soaring energy prices, the UK is yet to act. At a time when cost-of-living is increasing, rising energy prices are something motorists in this country can’t afford.
“This will impact the poorest among us the hardest as they are slowly priced off the roads. The need for Government action is urgent. With no end to the Ukraine crisis in sight it falls upon the Government to shield its population. The continued absence of action will have a detrimental impact on UK consumers.”

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Donaghadee’s Copeland Distillery in distribution deal with Classic Drinks

Linda Stewart — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 10:40:40 +0000

Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee has secured a new distribution partner to support its growth in the Republic.
The deal with Classic Drinks will make Copeland’s full spirit range of gin, rum and whiskey available to more than 3000 bars, restaurants and hotels across Ireland.
With the distillery reaching sales of 12,500 cases last year, this new partnership will support the business deliver its ambition to grow sales to over 25,000 cases across the UK and Ireland this year.
Mark Prentice, commercial director at Copeland Spirits said: “Our partnership with Classic Drinks is an important milestone for the Distillery as we continue to establish our brand in Ireland.
“Classic Drinks’ customer base of over 3000 bars, hotels and restaurants will allow us to showcase the breadth of our entire spirits range, from our award-winning gins and casked rums, to our Merchants’ Quay blended Irish whiskey.
“2022 is a major year for us. We have developed a varied portfolio of world-class, great-tasting spirits that represent NI’s craftsmanship and history. Celebrating the Copeland Islands, Donaghadee’s historic harbour and the local community is really important to us and we look forward to working with Classic Drinks to introduce our spirits to more consumers across the island of Ireland.”
Brian O’Riordan, Buyer at Classic Drinks said: “The Copeland Distillery has been on our radar for some time, so it is exciting to have added its full range to our portfolio for 2022.
“Our customers want great quality spirits that tell a great story, and the Copeland range ticks those boxes for us. It is a varied range which is important too, and be it the award-winning Navy Strength gin, the innovative cask-aged rums or the expertly blended Irish whiskey, all products are consistent in both quality and their genuine connection to Donaghadee.
“All of us at Classic Drinks are impressed by each product’s taste and how each bottle looks on-shelf so we’re confident that our customers will share our excitement as we start to introduce the range over the coming weeks.”

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PRA urges UK Chancellor to cut fuel duty, warning NI retailers will lose out

Donaghadee’s Copeland Distillery in distribution deal with Classic Drinks