Filling station pulls the plug on free fuel deal for lifeboat service

An independent lifeboat charity in south-west Scotland has been left reeling after a filling station withdrew a free fuel deal at short notice.

Nith Inshore Rescue (NIR) - which covers the River Nith into the Solway Firth from its base at Glencaple - has had an agreement with St Michael's Services in Dumfries for more than a decade.

However, it has been informed that the deal is being ended with immediate effect after the filling station was taken over by a UK-wide operator, Grove Retail Ltd.

Grove Retail said it had come to the decision after "careful consideration and an internal review".

NIR chairman Peter Bryden said the news had come as a "profound shock" and would have a serious impact on its life-saving service. He urged the company to reconsider.

The fuel is used for both rescue boats and blue light response vehicles and is essential to the group's ability to "train, respond and save lives".

Bryden said that the deal - understood to be worth thousands of pounds - was even more important in a time of price volatility.

Motorists across the UK are facing higher fuel costs as the US-Israel war with Iran continues.

"To lose that support so suddenly, and without any chance to seek alternatives, places real pressure on our operations," Bryden added.

He said that what was "especially painful" was the abruptness of the decision and the absence of any notice after such a "long-standing relationship".

"NIR is a highly-respected independent lifeboat charity," he said.

"We exist to protect and save lives, and when tragedy strikes, to do all we can to recover loved ones for families experiencing unimaginable loss.

"We are deeply supported by our shared community, and many people will be shocked to learn not only that this sponsorship has ended, but that it has been withdrawn in such a sudden and immediate way."

Bryden said he believed the arrangement had always been "mutually beneficial" and would welcome any explanation of the move.

St Michael's Services runs stations in Dumfries, Newton Stewart, Dalry and Moffat.

The long-established family business was sold to Grove Retail Ltd - which has a network of UK sites - earlier this year.

The company told NIR the decision had been made following "careful consideration and internal review".

It said it was "sincerely grateful" for the opportunity to support the organisation and its work and added that it had been a "privilege to contribute".

It said that it was willing to explore "alternative ways" it might be able to support the group.