The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has joined the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) in calling for cash machines to be exempt from business rates.

PRA chairman Brian Madderson (pictured) said: “The economics of running petrol forecourts are very fragile. That is why thousands have closed in the last few years with Experian Catalist confirming 900 independents had to withdraw from the sector in just five years from 2009 to 2013.

“A sensible concession by local authorities in relation to business rates on ATMs can help secure both the future of the forecourt and of local banking services”.

The importance of petrol forecourts as sites for ATMs will increase as the latest generation of sophisticated ATMs appears, incorporating a range of new services.

The new features on ATMs are likely to include electronic image deposit of cheques, cash deposit and recycling, internet banking (possibly including video connections with bank staff) and a number of other services. These ATMs will need to do everything a bank branch can do if they are to be acceptable substitutes for branches.

For this to become a reality, it is vital that no obstacles are put in the way of petrol forecourts having ATMs. Two things are needed for this to work in practice: flexibility from local authority planning committees and the removal of business rates on ATMs.

Ron Delnevo, European director of the ATM Industry Association, added: “There is no good in local authorities trying to cash in on attempts to replace the bank branches their local communities have lost.

“Sensible authorities, focused on the needs of their local residents for financial inclusion, will waive business rates to make the provision of new ATM-based banking services viable.”