Northern Ireland

Lockdown decimates trade at cross-border service stations

Kevin Doherty said diesel sales at his Centra store in Muff have been "more or less" wiped out. PICTURE: Margaret McLaughlin
Kevin Doherty said diesel sales at his Centra store in Muff have been "more or less" wiped out. PICTURE: Margaret McLaughlin Kevin Doherty said diesel sales at his Centra store in Muff have been "more or less" wiped out. PICTURE: Margaret McLaughlin

The continuing Coronavirus lockdown has decimated business at border service stations which rely on northern customers.

A number of fuel stations in border areas in Donegal have reported the near collapse of their diesel trade since restrictions on movement were put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

With currency exchange rates and price disparities, petrol is cheaper north of the border. However, the price of diesel is substantially cheaper in the Republic. This has led to many service stations in Counties Donegal, Monaghan and Louth being among the busiest in the country.

However, limits on travel and an ongoing restriction in cross border movement – enforced through Garda checkpoints – has impacted heavily on the border businesses.

Kevin Doherty of Circle service station in Muff on the Derry-Donegal border said the lockdown had “more or less wiped out” diesel business for him and other station owners.

We’re lucky in some ways because we have a Centra shop as well and the restrictions mean that local people are shopping local which helps. But there’s no doubt that the fuel trade’s been badly hit," he said.

“It was, even before last weekend’s clampdown on the border. With schools closed and people not travelling to work, we noticed a bit fall, the diesel sales have been more or less wiped out.”

Mr Doherty said he understood completely why the restrictions were needed and was very keen to ensure his customers and staff were protected from the coronavirus. .

In Bridgend, County Donegal, a spokesman for Grove service station, said fuel trade had fallen “substantially”.

He said much of Grove’s border trade came from Derry and people passing through. He said the initial clampdown had slowed business, however, the continuing restriction on cross border travel had made the situation much worse.

“We were hearing stories last week about people being told by Gardai to buy their fuel in the North. These people were not trying to travel into County Donegal just the few yards to get fuel. If the Garda checkpoint was placed a few yards further down, it could have stopped people trying to travel into County Donegal while letting people who just wanted to buy fuel do so,” he said.