Mobil reopens its Foxton station
Mobil has returned to Foxton but has discovered a little more competition has popped up in its absence.
Foxton’s Mobil service station reopened last week, after it was closed for upgrades 13 months ago, only to find its main rival in the Horowhenua town had expanded, and a new petrol station had opened in nearby Foxton Beach.
The station closed in January 2016 after Mobil Oil New Zealand decided to bring forward a planned upgrade when a small fuel leak was discovered at the site.
The upgrades were originally slated to take six months, but Mobil told the Manawatu Standard in July that delays meant work was expected to be completed in December.
For the first six months of the work, the unstaffed Waitomo Fuels was the only petrol station in the town, before GAS Petrol opened next to the Four Square in Foxton Beach.
Waitomo Petroleum managing director Jimmy Ormsby said the station was so busy last year they added two extra pumps to cater to the demand.
‘‘We kept our pricing consistent and competitive.
‘‘[But] some competitors further down the line have cut their prices to match, or better us, to try and claw back some customers.’’
Ormsby welcomed the Mobil’s return, saying competition was good for customers and kept businesses on their toes.
‘‘[But] we were there when there would’ve been no gas station in Foxton. So, hopefully the customers will remember that.’’
Mobil will still be the only staffed petrol station in town.
Mobil Oil denied a request for an interview, but provided a statement from Mobil Foxton operator Bob Wilkinson.
In the statement, Wilkinson said the upgrade work ran longer than expected because of delays in the planning and consent process, and with the importing of specialised equipment.
He said it was great to be back and he knew the closure ‘‘was definitely felt’’ by Foxton residents.
‘‘We’re already getting a steady stream of our loyal customers coming in and checking out the new facilities and telling us how pleased they are to have us back.’’
Wilkinson said two-thirds of the previous staff had returned.