Asda issues apology over filling station ‘issues’

Supermarket chain Asda has apologised after drivers who filled up from its petrol station in Coleraine reported car troubles.

Motorist Sandra Reid told the BBC she broke down on the Ring Road soon after buying fuel.

She said her car started to "chug along and struggle to accelerate" after leaving the forecourt

Asda has apologised for any inconvenience and removed some pumps at the site from service while an investigation is carried out.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Reid said she noticed issues with the car shortly after leaving the site.

"I eventually managed to get the car started again and it again was struggling, but I nursed it to a car park in Long Commons area of Coleraine and there it has stayed ever since," she said.

"It's a paid car park so I have had to top up the parking app for four days now just to keep my car there until I can get someone out to look at it.

"I think I am down about £20 already on parking as I can't move the car."

Asda has not disclosed further details about the nature of the complaints or said when the petrol pumps which are out of use are expected to return to service.

A second motorist Dean Law told the BBC cars belonging to his girlfriend and sister broke down after they had filled up at the petrol station.

And David Jardine, from Belfast, said he was on a family holiday on the north coast when he broke down in Portstewart.

"We were just heading up for a few days and filled up at Asda and I remember turning to my son in the car and saying the car doesn't feel right," he said.

"It was like jumping a bit and sounded strange.

"We got to Portstewart where we were staying and the car just completely died on us."

Jardine said his partner and two sons were fortunate that they had another vehicle to rely on during their stay.

"Thankfully my other son was driving his car up as he wanted to go off and meet up with his friends and we had two cars, but a lot of the plans we had were obviously impacted because we were down to the one car."

He said his car had to get towed back to Belfast and cost about £225 to fix.

In a statement issued by Asda on Friday, a spokesperson said: "We've experienced an incident at our Coleraine petrol station which may have affected some fuel purchases made between 25 and 29 October.

“While this does not affect all fuel purchases during that period, we're working with customers who may have been affected and asking anyone experiencing issues with their vehicle following a purchase during this time-frame to contact us so we can put things right.

“We've safely reopened the majority of pumps following a full investigation, while some remain out of use as we work to resolve the issue. We're very sorry for the disruption caused and thank customers for their patience and understanding."