The National Rural Conference 2025

Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
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Rural petrol stations forced to close

Several news outlets including the Daily Telegraph and ITV Online covered the warning of an increase in ‘fuel deserts’ from a trade association as many petrol stations will be forced to close due to a lack of sales and their businesses becoming unprofitable during the current coronavirus outbreak

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), which represents independent fuel retailers who account for 70 per cent of UK forecourts, said sites in rural areas where fuel use has collapsed are particularly vulnerable.

They recorded a fall in fuel consumption by more than 70 per cent due to the pandemic.

Full articles:

The Telegraph - Rural areas will become 'fuel deserts' as small petrol stations struggle to stay open, industry body warns

ITV - Petrol stations ‘will have to close due to impact of coronavirus’