20 new jobs created in Rathnew
MAXOL opened a new forecourt in Rathnew on Friday, creating 20 new jobs.
The 1.45-acre site at Tighe’s Avenue was the first greenfield site for the Maxol in two years, since the A26 Tannaghmore in Antrim Northern Ireland which opened in 2017, and wasn’t expected to open in April.
‘At a time when people are hugely concerned about being able to access everyday essentials as well as fuel, there was no doubt in our minds but that we had to proceed with the opening of Maxol Rathnew,’ said Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group.
‘Not only does it mean that there is an additional outlet for groceries and fuel in the area, but today’s opening also means the creation of 20 new jobs and our industry is hugely cognisant of the need to create and maintain jobs at this really difficult time.’
The service station cost €3.75 million, and includes forecourt with pay at pump and convenience facilities and will include the all-new Maxol Deli with seating for 32 customers, ROSA Coffee, free WIFI, a new car wash and 39 car park spaces.
Measures are being taken to combat the spread of Convid-19, including keeping the eat-in-area shut for the time being and providing sneeze guards to protect staff.
‘In opening Rathnew we have had to make some urgent modifications such as planning for the introduction of Perspex sneeze guards to protect both staff and customers; the introduction of store markers to ensure proper social distancing is maintained and hugely enhanced cleaning and sanitisation measures. We have also decided not to open the 32-seater eat-in area at this time,’ added Mr Donaldson.
Similar measures have also been rolled out across Maxol’s 237 other service stations in the country.
The opening of Maxol Rathnew was to be one of the group’s flagship events to mark the family-owned businesses centenary year but the coronavirus outbreak meant opening celebrations were put on hold.
‘We have obviously cancelled all fanfare around the launch. Our focus has moved to ensuring staff are looked after as they look after shoppers with a special focus on our older customers, who need even more support,’ said Mr Donaldson.
In addition to groceries and fuel, the new store offers fresh food-to-go from the Maxol Deli and freshly brewed ROSA coffee. The pay-at-pump facilities provided also have some unintended benefits.
‘One of the benefits of our new forecourts, as well as our newly renovated sites, is our pay-at-pump facilities. This means that customers can purchase petrol or diesel without having to enter the shop or come into any human contact.
‘COVID-19 obviously wasn’t a consideration when we were making plans for these facilities, but it’s amazing how companies like ours are now seeing unintended benefits from relatively low-tech innovations that were created for totally different purposes,’ said Mr Donaldson.
The Maxol Group CEO also eased the fears of customers by vowing to remain open so the public can access all essentials, and has little doubt that the new Rathnew facility will prove a success.
‘We would like to reassure all our customers that we will continue to serve them as always during this difficult time with all their daily essentials.
‘We have an amazing team and I want to thank our staff, retailers and suppliers who are keeping everything running smoothly and safely.
‘I would like to pay special tribute to Jason and Rachel McMullan, our licensees and independent retailers who have remained steadfast in their commitment to running this new site in the middle of a national crisis,’ said Mr Donaldson.