‘Panic Buying’ Sees Fuel Queues Form in Market Harborough

Drivers are being urged not to panic buy after queues formed at petrol stations in Market Harborough amid concerns prices could rise due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Some forecourts have temporarily run out of fuel, while others are reporting limited supplies of either petrol or diesel.

Driver queue to fill up at Saisnbury’s in Market Harborough

Queues were seen at several locations, including Sainsbury’s on Springfield Street and the BP garage on the A6 bypass.

Motorists are being advised not to change their usual refuelling habits.

Queues at the BP garage on the A6 bypass near Market Harborough  Pic: Shania Valjee

Luke Bosdet, of motoring group The AA, said: “There is no need for drivers to refuel any differently than normal. Not only does it take time for cost increases to work their way through to the pump, but Spring is nearly here and car fuel consumption drops – engines don’t have to work as hard as they do in the winter.

“Pump prices are heading up – wholesale costs had been increasing even before the weekend’s strikes on Iran.

“However, pump averages today are still below where they started the year and petrol is almost 6.5p a litre cheaper than this time last year. That makes a tank of petrol more than £3.50 cheaper than in early March 2025.”