Leading fuel and convenience retailer Maxol has officially opened its new Eglinton service station located on the Coolafinny Road in Derry generating 20 new jobs.
The expansion represents an investment of over £2m by Maxol and has created more than 20 full time and part time roles ranging from Customer Service Assistants, Fresh Food Operators, Staff Supervisors and a Store Manager in the last two months. The business is operated under licence by Alan and Val Rodden and as it grows they expect staff numbers to increase to 30 by the end of the first year of trading.
Maxol Eglinton boasts the latest SPAR convenience store design within the forecourt which has seen the introduction of ‘Moreish – Fresh Food by Maxol’ into Northern Ireland, offering a range of hot and cold meals for all times of the day and a new speciality sandwich range and freshly ground barista coffee and teas, supplied by Bewley’s. The Moreish cafe, located within the Maxol SPAR forecourt store, includes a contemporary seating area, state-of-the-art washrooms as well as WiFi. In addition to Eglinton, Maxol plans to bring the Moreish fresh food concept to Townparks, Antrim and Scarva Road, Banbridge service stations in the next three months. A separate fuelling facility for trucks with parking is also provided.
Commenting at the official opening of the new Maxol in Eglinton, Brian Donaldson, Maxol Group General Manager said,
“At Maxol we are committed to serving local communities and with our new service station in Eglinton we have supported the employment of more than 20 local people and created a key destination point in the North West. We are absolutely delighted to be working with Alan and Val Rodden, our independent licensees, who are well known and highly regarded in the local area. It’s an exciting time in the business as we introduce ‘Moreish – Fresh Food by Maxol’ to Northern Ireland which we believe will really appeal to consumers offering fresh, high quality food on the go, sourced from local suppliers, as well as a comfortable seating area to relax and recharge.
By continuing our alliance with the Henderson Group, under the SPAR franchise, we can continue to develop our convenience offering and best meet the needs of consumers today who are moving away from the bigger weekly shop in large supermarkets and are now ‘topping up’ in smaller, local independent outlets, operated and served by local people”
Maxol’s new service station located on the Coolafinny Road, Eglinton is operated by licensees Alan and Val Rodden who are well-known faces in the area and who also run Dispo Products, a local hygiene supplies business. Alan has served on the Board of Governors at Eglinton Primary School and also on the Board of Governors of Foyle View Special School until its amalgamation with Belmont School.
Val Rodden, licensee of Maxol Eglinton commented, “We, Alan and I, are thrilled to be the new licensees of Maxol Eglinton. It’s an exciting opportunity to be part of such a recognised brand in Northern Ireland and also throughout the Republic of Ireland. Since opening we have received great support from the local community and there has been a really positive reaction from customers. The Moreish café has made Maxol Eglinton a real destination point.”
The opening of Maxol Eglinton is part of a £40m investment from Maxol over the last 24 months which has resulted in the opening of 15 new service stations and the rollout out of its new forecourt image at 173 stations across the island of Ireland.