TII Motorway Service Areas (MSA) Progress Thread

freshpopcorn · 30-05-2019 7:30pm

The Cashel Mcdonald's has a drive Thru!

jd · 30-05-2019 7:44pm

veryangryman wrote: »

Passengers could eat i guess?

As its offline, you also have locals who might fancy a smacs

It's actually online. That doesn't sop locals. Anyway I prefer to have a drive-through. Drive up, get food, eat in car, rubbish in bin, go.. (with coffee in drinks holder)

OldMrBrennan83 · 30-05-2019 8:25pm

Even if I wasn't eating and driving I'd always rather eat in the car parked up rather than go in so drive throughs are ideal. That said, I'm probably in the minority on that.

Chris_5339762 · 30-05-2019 9:09pm

None of the "official" TII service stations have drive-throughs as far as I'm aware. Presumably they want to stop people eating their burger and chips while driving with one hand down the motorway.

BoatMad · 04-06-2019 10:26am

To me the new Gorey one is much nicer then coynes , and I use both quite a bit, ionity chargers going in at present so 8 EV charging bays there too soon

OldMrBrennan83 · 04-06-2019 10:28am

BoatMad wrote: »

To me the new Gorey one is much nicer then coynes , and I use both quite a bit, ionity chargers going in at present so 8 EV charging bays there too soon

Definitely would rather go into it, haven't been in Coynes since. Far handier for a later stop when going to Wexford too.

blindsider · 04-06-2019 6:48pm

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

None of the "official" TII service stations have drive-throughs as far as I'm aware. Presumably they want to stop people eating their burger and chips while driving with one hand down the motorway.

M8 Cashel does....

https://motorwayservices.ie/Cashel#Facilities

blackwhite · 04-06-2019 7:02pm

blindsider wrote: »

M8 Cashel does....

https://motorwayservices.ie/Cashel#Facilities

That’s neither online, nor a TII official services site - which was the question asked.

Topaz (as they were at the time) managed to get a site, and planning permission, beside an exit.

OldMrBrennan83 · 04-06-2019 7:03pm

That one barely had a car park until about a year ago so you'd have needed to eat driving along anyway.

jd · 04-06-2019 8:02pm

blindsider wrote: »

M8 Cashel does....

https://motorwayservices.ie/Cashel#Facilities

As others have stated, that is not an official TII service area. Personally, I think it was a disgrace to give it planning permission given the lack of space etc.

blindsider · 05-06-2019 12:13am

blackwhite wrote: »

That’s neither online, nor a TII official services site - which was the question asked.

Topaz (as they were at the time) managed to get a site, and planning permission, beside an exit.

Fair enough - wasn't aware of that. I know it's a pain to get to, but I thought it was 'on-line' as we (Ireland) define it....

Thanks for the info.

BelfastVanMan · 05-06-2019 1:15pm

blindsider wrote: »

blackwhite wrote: »

That’s neither online, nor a TII official services site - which was the question asked.

Topaz (as they were at the time) managed to get a site, and planning permission, beside an exit.

Fair enough - wasn't aware of that. I know it's a pain to get to, but I thought it was 'on-line' as we (Ireland) define it....

Thanks for the info.

Open to correction, here, but I think the official TII services have blue motorway signs, while the non-official services have brown signs.

OldMrBrennan83 · 10-06-2019 12:09pm

BelfastVanMan wrote: »

Open to correction, here, but I think the official TII services have blue motorway signs, while the non-official services have brown signs.

On the signs thing, does that mean M8 J14 is offline then? I never realised it wasn't official.

blackwhite · 10-06-2019 12:24pm

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

On the signs thing, does that mean M8 J14 is offline then? I never realised it wasn't official.

Yes.

Offline means you leave the motorway at the junction and can re-enter, or continue your journey on non-MW road.

Online services are ones where you can only access from the MW, and can only leave by re-entering the MW.

The official, online service areas are listed at https://www.tii.ie/roads-tolling/operations-and-maintenance/motorway-service-areas/

jd · 10-06-2019 12:26pm

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

On the signs thing, does that mean M8 J14 is offline then? I never realised it wasn't official.

At Moorepark, Fermoy? That's not official. If it's "bolted on" to a normal junction you can generally take it is not official.

OldMrBrennan83 · 10-06-2019 1:33pm

Makes sense, hadn't thought of the layout at all. Cheers.

JupiterKid · 19-06-2019 10:37pm

Was in the spanking new Circke K Gorey service area on the M11. Very impressed. Very well laid out, open 24 hours, interior fitted out to a high standard, much superior to the Applegreen ones IMO.

McDonalds nearly finished and due to open later this week. I would say this will take a good chunk of business away from the offline Applegreen servicrs at Coynes Cross.

More like this one please!

OldMrBrennan83 · 19-06-2019 10:42pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

Was in the spanking new Circke K Gorey service area on the M11. Very impressed. Very well laid out, open 24 hours, interior fitted out to a high standard, much superior to the Applegreen ones IMO.

McDonalds nearly finished and due to open later this week. I would say this will take a good chunk of business away from the offline Applegreen servicrs at Coynes Cross.

More like this one please!

Definitely, there's not a better one in the country.

ongarboy · 19-06-2019 11:00pm

https://www.businessworld.ie/news/McDonald-s-brings-45-jobs-to-Gorey-572506.html

You must have missed the McDonald's opening by minutes! Opened today according to this article.

spacetweek · 26-06-2019 8:27pm

Where are we with Athlone and Kilcullen?

secman · 27-06-2019 7:40am

spacetweek wrote: »

Where are we with Athlone and Kilcullen?

Fit out of Athlone is presently ongoing, target of August.
Kilcullen is running a bit behind Athlone.

flazio · 27-06-2019 10:10am

TII should find out who Pat McDonagh is using for his plazas.
They'd all be open by now if they used his contractors.

secman · 27-06-2019 12:47pm

flazio wrote: »

TII should find out who Pat McDonagh is using for his plazas.
They'd all be open by now if they used his contractors.

What makes you think TII isn't the problem ?

tigerboon · 28-06-2019 10:24am

flazio wrote: »

TII should find out who Pat McDonagh is using for his plazas.
They'd all be open by now if they used his contractors.

Same contractor, Killeen Civil

ongarboy · 28-06-2019 10:54am

Will Circle K be operating the Kilcullen and Athone MSAs? If so, will they also partner with McDonalds at these new MSAs like Gorey, Carlow and Fermoy?

blackwhite · 28-06-2019 11:36am

ongarboy wrote: »

Will Circle K be operating the Kilcullen and Athone MSAs? If so, will they also partner with McDonalds at these new MSAs like Gorey, Carlow and Fermoy?

Both were part of the same tender process as Gorey, so should be similar offerings in place.

Carlow and Fermoy aren't MSAs

flazio · 28-06-2019 11:40am

tigerboon wrote: »

Same contractor, Killeen Civil

Well then, his cheques must clear faster or something.

ongarboy wrote: »

Will Circle K be operating the Kilcullen and Athone MSAs? If so, will they also partner with McDonalds at these new MSAs like Gorey, Carlow and Fermoy?

With Athlone it's hard to see it being McDonald's as there's already a restaurant close by in the Kilmartin centre. I know Burger king is associated closely with Applegreen but I wouldn't say that rules them out of contention.

blackwhite · 28-06-2019 11:54am

flazio wrote: »

Well then, his cheques must clear faster or something.

With Athlone it's hard to see it being McDonald's as there's already a restaurant close by in the Kilmartin centre. I know Burger king is associated closely with Applegreen but I wouldn't say that rules them out of contention.

McDonalds are specified in the tender documentation.

serfboard · 28-06-2019 1:19pm

ongarboy wrote: »

Will Circle K be operating the Kilcullen and Athone MSAs? If so, will they also partner with McDonalds at these new MSAs like Gorey, Carlow and Fermoy?

flazio wrote: »

With Athlone it's hard to see it being McDonald's as there's already a restaurant close by in the Kilmartin centre. I know Burger king is associated closely with Applegreen but I wouldn't say that rules them out of contention.

Is it not now almost a rule that if it's Applegreen it's Burger King, and if it's Circle K, it's McDonalds? I'd be interested in any examples that break this "rule".

It also explains why Supermacs went ahead and built their own!

ongarboy · 28-06-2019 3:22pm

serfboard wrote: »

Is it not now almost a rule that if it's Applegreen it's Burger King, and if it's Circle K, it's McDonalds? I'd be interested in any examples that break this "rule".

It also explains why Supermacs went ahead and built their own!

Maxol seem to be paired with Abrakebabra and Bagel Factory of late while Texaco pairs with Supermacs if I'm not mistaken?

blackwhite · 28-06-2019 3:53pm

ongarboy wrote: »

Maxol seem to be paired with Abrakebabra and Bagel Factory of late while Texaco pairs with Supermacs if I'm not mistaken?

Texaco are basically a dealer network in Ireland. Privately owned petrol stations that take supply and branding from Valero.
The “Plaza Group” is a Pat McDonagh venture where he used his own Supermacs brand for the food offering, and then takes a supply deal with Valero for Texaco branding on the forecourt.

Anybody else going with a Texaco dealer contract is still free to take on a franchise from any other fast food retailer they can agree a deal with.

Maxol’s network is largely owned and operated by Maxol - so they’ve a central partnership with Abra.

Same applies for Applegreen/BK and Circle K/McD - any sites owned and operated by the actual fuel company are tied to the companies’ official partner.

However both Circle K and Applegreen have extensive networks of dealer owned/operated sites and you’ll find some instances of those sites paired with an alternative partner

radharc · 28-06-2019 7:41pm

The other difference is that Applegreen own and manage the BK franchises in those sites, while the McDonalds’ stores have nothing to do with Circle K and are managed by McDonald’s franchises.

OldMrBrennan83 · 28-06-2019 8:04pm

Maxol on the N3 has Supermacs.

spacetweek · 09-07-2019 1:02pm

Anyone know if there's any progress on the M3 and M18 MSAs? The next batch after the ones this year open.

marno21 · 09-07-2019 2:13pm

spacetweek wrote: »

Anyone know if there's any progress on the M3 and M18 MSAs? The next batch after the ones this year open.

Most information to date has been from t4msa.ie

No updates on there since 2017

annfield1978 · 09-07-2019 4:08pm

marno21 wrote: »

Most information to date has been from t4msa.ie

No updates on there since 2017

Projects are on hold for past 12 months

JupiterKid · 09-07-2019 6:48pm

How are the M6 Athlone East and M9 Kilcullen MSAs coming along? When might they be due to open?

spacetweek · 12-07-2019 11:34am

Official line is still Kilcullen October, Athlone November.

serfboard · 12-07-2019 4:07pm

spacetweek wrote: »

Official line is still Kilcullen October, Athlone November.

A pure layman here so it's likely that commissioning is maybe more complex than I imagine, but the last time I passed Athlone they were flying along with the building and I find it hard to believe that there's still another three and a half months left (builders holidays included).

ongarboy · 12-07-2019 4:28pm

spacetweek wrote: »

Official line is still Kilcullen October, Athlone November.

Circle K is already advertising for staff for its shop/deli etc for Kilcullen so I imagine they'd need about 3 months lead time to advertise, interview, train new employees etc. Their ad just says opening later this year.

https://workwithus.circlek.com/job/fresh-food-manager-kilcullen-co-kildare/J3Q86P71QSHTNLVZFS5

BowWow · 26-08-2019 1:28pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

Was in the spanking new Circke K Gorey service area on the M11. Very impressed. Very well laid out, open 24 hours, interior fitted out to a high standard, much superior to the Applegreen ones IMO.

Have used this a few times now, nice centre, but was in it twice last week and had my coffee/snack in my car on both occasions. Centre was packed with kids and the noise level was something else as gangs of kids ran wild about the place. Obviously the McDonalds is a big draw for the greater holiday area. Wasn't even raining at the time. Will give it a miss during holiday times in future.

serfboard · 26-08-2019 1:41pm

spacetweek wrote: »

Official line is still Kilcullen October, Athlone November.

Meant to post here that I passed the Athlone one last week and they're flying along. They were tarmacing the internal roads and associated roundabouts when I passed. I imagine it will be open in October, or even late September by the looks of things.

sidcon · 26-08-2019 6:32pm

serfboard wrote: »

Meant to post here that I passed the Athlone one last week and they're flying along. They were tarmacing the internal roads and associated roundabouts when I passed. I imagine it will be open in October, or even late September by the looks of things.

Hearing around 14th of Sept

wytek · 27-08-2019 10:14am

ongarboy wrote: »

https://workwithus.circlek.com/job/fresh-food-manager-kilcullen-co-kildare/J3Q86P71QSHTNLVZFS5

lol 26000+ jobs in the US
https://workwithus.circlek.com/en-US/search?facetcountry=us

sidcon · 27-08-2019 8:46pm

wytek wrote: »

lol 26000+ jobs in the US
https://workwithus.circlek.com/en-US/search?facetcountry=us

I would say that's because the operate shops/supermarkets in the USA in 50 states not just petrol stations and just bought holiday oil in US as well

vickers209 · 30-08-2019 12:46am

sidcon wrote: »

Hearing around 14th of Sept

we have been asked to deliver stock into site next week so may be sooner

sidcon · 02-09-2019 5:35pm

vickers209 wrote: »

we have been asked to deliver stock into site next week so may be sooner

12th according to LinkedIn

flazio · 02-09-2019 6:01pm

So are Circle K on their own in there?

munchkin_utd · 03-09-2019 1:27pm

sidcon wrote: »

12th according to LinkedIn

good to know.

Its also already on google maps as "Circle K Future Services" which is surprising seeing as they are normally so slow to update their maps with potential road openings and whatnot.
https://goo.gl/maps/ZbuGwWHihX9KjQKz6

It'll probably take them over 12 months to update it with info that its open and has petrol and food !

JupiterKid · 05-09-2019 4:21am

munchkin_utd wrote: »

good to know.

Its also already on google maps as "Circle K Future Services" which is surprising seeing as they are normally so slow to update their maps with potential road openings and whatnot.
https://goo.gl/maps/ZbuGwWHihX9KjQKz6

It'll probably take them over 12 months to update it with info that its open and has petrol and food !

Looks great and ready to go.

Will there be a McDonalds at this new services?

Any further info on when M9 Kilcullen will be opening?

TII Motorway Service Areas (MSA) Progress Thread

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