This article is from page 26 of the 2007-11-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
TWELVE months after it was closed for €2 million of refurbishments, the Texaco filling station in Shannon has been re-opened for business.
Manager Darragh O’Connor closed the garage and convenience store in October 2006 with a view to over- Jer LUObeercap ie
Although a planning issue resulted in the work being put on hold for a number of months, it has been com- pleted and is now open for business.
The premises is part of the Sky- Court complex and Texaco have leased the site from the town centre management company.
The delay came about after Sky-
Court refused consent for the devel- opment. However, it later changed its position, meaning that the work could proceed.
The existing building was knocked to the ground and a totally new building put in its place. A Spar con- venience store has been built which is four times the size of the previ- ous shop. Upstairs there are offices, a canteen, staff toilets and a storage area. The new express shop sells a wide variety of foods, drinks and newspapers.
It incorporates a deli, smoothie bar, hot food counter and wine area, along with a sizeable general grocery section. There is also a car wash and car valeting business on the premis-
es, while coal and briquettes are also available.
The manager is delighted that the expansion has been completed.
“We are trying to create a one- stop shop in Shannon. We will be launching a range of takeaway evening meals and lunchtime menus. Our food goes from 7am to 7.30pm, which isn’t the usual run-of-the-mill deli,” he said.
The opening hours will be from 7am to llpm, seven days a week.
The O’Connor family have been in business in Shannon for 30 years. Darragh took over the running of the filling station from his parents 10 years ago.
“I felt that petrol stations were
closing down everywhere because the margins on petrol have disappeared. You have to make your money in the shop itself. It is all geared around convenience,” said O’Connor.
He is indebted to the people of Shannon, who have been loyal to his business and showed patience during the closure.
“Business has been absolutely fantastic. The goodwill from the lo- cals in Shannon has been wonderful so I say thanks to the people of the town for standing by me during the renovations,’ he said.
The re-opening of the business has seen staff numbers increase from 12 to 20 and Mr O’Connor said he was delighted with this.