Maxol has completed a £1.9 million re-development of its Fortwilliam service station on Belfast’s Antrim Road, with nine jobs created as a result.
The six-month project has seen the site reconfigured to create a forecourt and new convenience store to serve the local customers and commuters who use this main arterial route into Belfast city centre.
The development is part of a wider multi-million-pound five-year capital investment programme Maxol is delivering across its network to meet the increasing demand for convenience-led forecourt services that include coffee, groceries and food-to-go.
Maxol Fortwilliam, operated under license by Mark Nelson, has nearly doubled in size to 195 square metres and offers the latest Spar store concept, including more grocery and chilled bays, a brand-new Delish deli and self-serve chicken bar as well as an in-store bakery. A new customer restroom has also been included within the store development.
The newly expanded and reconfigured forecourt has two pump islands with pay-at-pump facilities while car parking has more than doubled to 24 spaces.
Technology has been used throughout the development to implement Maxol’s sustainable forecourt design and to reduce the service station’s carbon footprint. Measures taken include the use of photovoltaic (solar) panels to cut electrical import requirements; the installation of LED lights throughout and adopting low energy Co2 refrigeration systems with doors fitted throughout the store. New signage highlights the sustainable features to customers.
Maxol Group chief executive Brian Donaldson said: “This is the latest example of modern roadside retail from Maxol. I wish Mark and his dedicated staff every success.”
Sarah Halliday, channel sales manager at Henderson Group, which owns the Spar franchise in the north, added: “This is a fantastic example of an independent retailer working with locally owned brands to bring the best products and services to their community.
“We have worked with Mark and the team at Maxol to produce a first class, modern forecourt that delivers for both the business and shoppers.”
