M11 service station finally opens
HUNDREDS of people from Gorey and surrounding areas came out to enjoy the sunshine for the reveal on the opening day of the long anticipated Circle K service station at Ballyellen on the M11 Gorey motorway.
The new service station will create 40 new jobs in Gorey.
With Wexford flags flying on the approach to the station, the team at Circle K welcomed the new visitors with opening day offers on fuel, food and coffee as well as fun games and entrainment such as a spin-the-wheel for customers, live music and bouncy castles for the children.
Wexford GAA star Lee Chin was on hand to cut the ribbon to officially open the service station, while Sally Terriff, who was doing a collection on the day in aid of Gorey Rangers, said that the place was packed out with people from early morning. She explained that she was surprised by the size of the area and she added that she hopes that the station will ‘do the town good’.
Speaking to some locals at the launch, Linda Nolan from Gorey said that she and her friends really enjoyed the launch and added that they’ll ‘definitely be back’. Linda explained that the service station was something ‘ badly needed for the Wexford and Gorey area’ and she hopes that the business will do well, as the staff seem very friendly and helpful.
Tracey Watters from Riverchapel spun the wheel and won a free sandwich as well as a car wash for her next trip to the station. Tracey who attended the launch with some family members said Gorey ‘ has been waiting for this for a long time’ and she is looking forward to being able to call in to the station on her way to Wicklow, where she often travels on the motorway to visit her daughter. She added that Circle K has good quality petrol, ‘I’ve noticed the difference in the performance of the car and it’s clear to see that it definitely gets you further’.
The new station will be open on a 24 hour basis, seven days a week and inside the station, customers can enjoy confectionery, hot drinks, baked goods, hot food, sandwiches, fast food, icecream and milkshakes as well as a Mexican styled food bar.
There are both indoor and outdoor play areas for children, both fully enclosed and gated to ensure safety. There is also indoor seating and outdoor picnic tables, and a McDonalds restaurant will also operate from the service station soon, although it has not opened yet.
Speaking to a new staff member, Arron Murphy, he explained that through working with Circle K, he was able take an opportunity to move down to the South East and live closer to family, and enjoy a cheaper lifestyle. He said that he is paying less rent than what he used to in Dublin. ‘I’m renting in Arklow now and my work is ten minutes away from my house, it’s fantastic,’ he said.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne who was at the launch said that he was delighted to see the service station finally opening its doors after the series of delays, and he, among other local politicians, had been campaigning for this to come about for a long time. ‘This is a clear sign for further investment in Wexford,’ said Cllr Byrne, who was particularly impressed by the creation of 40 new jobs for the locality by this venture.
Delays have been a large part of the service stations’ history with Gorey, as it was one of three motorway service stations to be constructed as part of Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s plans some years ago. Works first got underway to build the station in August 2013, which saw did not see the station finished until 2015, a year behind schedule. With further delays regarding tendering after this, it has taken the investment by Circle K which began in 2018, to be the final piece in the puzzle to allow this state of the art station to become operational.
Niall Anderton, managing director of Circle K explained that the service station will be of great use to tourists travelling to Wexford from Dublin. He explained that there is a Fáilte Ireland information point on site to help guide visitors find their fill of local attractions to set them on their way, and introduces them to Wexford as it highlights key heritage sites as part of the Ireland’s Ancient East trail.
The new site looks set to cater for up to 20,000 motorists daily and is the largest Circle K fuel station in Europe, with a capacity that accommodates trucks, emergency vehicles, car parking as well as coach spaces.