BP fuel sales 'not a profitable business model'

Grant Ward Nissan will no longer serve up BP fuel, citing diminishing returns for the Alexandra site.

The station on Centennial Ave permanently closed on Sunday.

Grant Ward owner Grant Constable said he gave notice to BP about a fortnight ago as it was not willing to invest in the service.

''It's not a profitable business model,'' he said.

''BP weren't willing to invest in it and we weren't willing to invest in something which wasn't going to make us any money.''

Mr Constable said the petrol company was happy for the fuel service to continue.

''We made that decision.

''They [BP] were happy enough for us to continue to trade and lose money, but we're not.''

A BP spokesman said the Alexandra site was an independently owned and operated dealer site and he directed all inquiries to Mr Constable.

Last week, Z Energy announced it was to change its Tarbert St site to a 24/7 self-service facility.

Caltex and NPD have service stations on Centennial Ave.

adam.burns@odt.co.nz