How do I go about starting a business as a Petrol Retailer?

I currently work as a benefit fraud investigator but in my teens worked part-time in a garage forecourt for 6 years and practically ran the business. I would like to change career direction and work for myself operating my own forecourt but I am not sure how to raise capital or who to approach in relation to suppliers etc. I do not even have premises and would be starting from scratch. I live in Northern Ireland

You would best try to get a franchise with an oil company. Not sure about NI but many forecourts are run this way. Generally the sites are already there or being built and you 'manage' them as self employed. A few years ago a franchise ran to quite an investment with returns fairly low from the actual sales of fuel, of course depending on location. That's why you see forecourt shops offering a wide selection of 'general goods' as there is more of a profit margin.
But you seem keen to try and why not, all the very of luck

to be honest i dont think this is fiesable many many small retailers have gone to the wall as the big supermarkets have taken over i think that chains such as murco have

there is a very very small amount of margin in the petroleum industry. The larger companies are struggling to stay on top of each other- there really isn't much room for an independant enterprise in the market. Sorry mate but this is not a likely area in which you can succeed.

get in touch with petrol companys and ask for details to be a dealer on one of their forcourts. Total oil is a good company to work for. There are three positions on forcourts.
company managed (working for the company)
commision operated (using the company site as self employed owning stock employing staff but getting commision of the petrol sales no outlay on property)
dealer operated (owning property petrol stock using petrol companys name etc) there are clauses to the latter as you will be using the companys name. i was in the trade for 17years part manager for company part commision i thouroughy enjoyed it. hope this helps you. I would choose to be commision operated less hassle and expense. suppliers will be recommended by oil company

I agree with all the above comments.

There is a really low margin in the sale of petrol and the supermarkets have squeezed the market to death.

The only way to make case is from the shops, hence they have sprung up so much in stations.

The working in partnership, be it franchise or any of the above methods is the only way.

One thing worth consideration is by getting one in a remote area, such as a village that is a fair distance from your nearest competitor.

You will have to work out the method of acquiring one and which company you will work with and on what basis but there is more money to be made on the fuel as you can charge a premium as people have no other choice.

As a bonus you will get the benefit of living in the countryside!