Ashhurst has working petrol station again

Ashhurst's only petrol station is back in business after being shut for about three months.

The revamped service station – with a new fuel supplier – started serving customers again shortly before 3pm yesterday.

"People are stoked it's up and going again," service station owner Barry Jones said.

News that the service station was under threat of permanent closure last year caused an outcry in Ashhurst.

Mr Jones was told by oil giant Mobil that he would have to come up with the $500,000 needed to replace old pumps – a cost he could not afford. He negotiated a deal with Allied Petroleum instead.

Allied is contracted to supply the independent service station with fuel for the next 10 years.

Mr Jones said there was a new forecourt, new tanks and pumps. The service station looked vastly different, he said.

Mr Jones paid for the improvements, with some support from Allied.

The shop was stocking up and the service station's new branding had not yet been put in place, he said.

He wasn't too concerned that customers might have become used to getting their fuel elsewhere.

"I think they'll come back."

- © Fairfax NZ News