PLANS for the opening of a United Service Station in Bulahdelah is fueling hope that local petrol prices will fall.

The new station will be located at the O’Sullivan’s Retreat site adjacent to the northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway, four kilometres north of the town centre,

United Area Manager Tania Salter said the site will be geared mainly towards travellers.

“It’s something that northbound traffic has needed for some time and will cater for people who want to fuel up, grab something quick to eat and get going,” she said.

“It will provide fuel, drinks and convenience food like chips and pies.”

Ms Salter said United were currently calling for expressions of interest for leasing the site with the process expected to take up to eight weeks.

“It’s not company run, there will be an independent agent who will be running it for United, it will be their business, very similar to a franchise,” she said.

The United Service Station will operate 24-hours a day and Ms Salter is expecting many locals will also purchase their fuel from the site.

Bulahdelah Coles Express Manager Sue Malone said although they have cut back on opening hours since the completion of the bypass, she was not expecting the new service station to impact on business.

“We are already an established business so people know we’re here, we are doing very well in spite of the bypass,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of our travellers back because there’s no delay, no lining up, it’s all in and out.”

Bulahdelah BP Manager Kylie Watling told News Of The Area business at their 24-hour site had improved considerably over the past two-years.

“The fuel side has died off a bit but we’ve seen big improvements in retail and food, the shop sales are just climbing,” she said.

“I think the people who come through and always stop here will continue to do so.”

Kyle said “we will have to wait and see” if the opening of the new service station will impact on trade.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN