According to regulations from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), all cisterns, pipes and hoses with flammable liquid must be protected against corrosion.
Since 2014, it has been decided that all petrol stations must be able to demonstrate adequate protection by the first of July 2022 in order to be allowed to continue operating.
For Leif Jonsson, who runs the petrol station in Hemling in the third generation, the demand means a stroke of luck for the business.
- I estimate that it will cost between half and one million kronor.
We do not have that economy.
Threats the whole company
The margins are simply not there to run a gas station in sparsely populated areas.
Leif says that he can be happy if it is possible plus or minus zero and now with the imposed requirement there is no possibility to save the business.
- In the long run, we have to clean up when we close down.
The question is whether we have the finances for it.
It can be bankruptcy for the whole company and then the whole taxi business disappears so these are not nice things to do.
Poorer service
Örnsköldsvik is the municipality in the county that has the longest distance in the county between petrol stations with an average of 5.65 km.
When the gas station in Hemling disappears, the whole area is affected.
- This is the only manned petrol station north of Örnsköldsvik.
It will affect many in the immediate area.
Then you have to go to Örnsköldsvik to get oil and other parts for cars.
It will be much worse service to those who live here.