Petition launched against plans to make petrol station self-service only

A petition has been launched in bid to stop the petrol station at Seaton Tesco becoming self-service only.

Tesco will be operating the petrol station unmanned on a trial period from March 1, meaning customers will have to pay for petrol at the pump using a credit or debit card.

But an online petition against this has already received more than 330 signatures.

The petition was launched by local resident Jay Cross who said switching to a self-service only petrol station could result in job losses for the 11 staff of there were no position available in the main supermarket.

However, a spokesperson for Tesco said: "We are trialling an unmanned petrol station at our Seaton Superstore. All colleagues who usually work in the petrol station will be redeployed in store, and no jobs will be lost as a result of this change."

Mr Cross also argued that the petrol station has been used as a pick-up and drop-off point for essential shopping for elderly and high-risk residents during the coronavirus pandemic, and without this service they would have to enter the large supermarket "putting themselves at unnecessary risk".

Other residents with mobility issues have also been assisted in the past by petrol station staff and "will now have to find a way to walk around the large store", according to the petition.

Mr Cross added: "A large number of residents will have to drastically change their routines in the midst of a pandemic and besides those things, we will no longer be able to use cash to pay for fuel. 

"I am here to ask if those in Seaton and the surrounding areas will pull together to sign this petition, in the hopes that our voices can make a difference. 

"I am here to ask those at Tesco… to re-evaluate their decision with the opinion of the community in mind, and to prove that 'every little', really helps.  

"There is little benefit from the steps outlined to take place from March 1 this year, aside from what I can only assume is that this is a cost effective measure to save money, and is not in the best interest of our community. 

"Cashless fuel stations may function and be effective in other areas, but in my own and the opinions of a number of locals already aware of this change, for Seaton, this is not a step in the right direction."

You can view and sign the petition by clicking here.