Supermarket In Petrol Pump Price Cut

Complaints over controversial regional price variation in the forecourts has - in part at least - led to one of Northern Ireland's leading supermarkets pledging to cut customers' fuel costs.

Tesco shoppers who spend £50 or more either in store or online from Monday are to receive a coupon giving them five pence off a litre of petrol or diesel, up to a maximum of 100 litres.

The coupon can be redeemed at any Tesco Petrol Station, on all grades of fuel, up to two weeks after date of issue.

Gary Mills, Stores Director of Tesco Northern Ireland confirmed the offer runs until Sunday September 21 and said the retailer was doing its bit to make the cost of living lower.

"Rising energy prices have again dominated the news and we know our customers will be concerned about the effect on their wallets," he said.

Tesco and Sainsbury's were both criticised in August for the way they charge motorists in a fuel price 'postcode lottery'.

Both retail giants were urged to drop their regional pricing policies - where the cost depends on the forecourt you visit.

The move came after the Consumer Council exposed the sometimes large price variations in local forecourts.

The NI Consumer Council wants these retailers to end the policy where customers in Ballymena and Belfast, for example, are paying more for fuel than in Bangor or Coleraine.

Consumer Council research said a litre at Tesco can vary by as much as 5p depending on where you shop and fuel price variations of up to 2p at filling stations owned by Sainsbury's.

(BMcC)