Applegreen grant may fuel price war

The arrival of the Applegreen filling station chain to Galway City before the end of this year is expected to fuel a price war.

City planners have given the green light to Petrogas Limited – which operates more than 70 stations under the Applegreen brand across the country – on the Tuam Road.

At the moment, the chain has some of the cheapest fuel in the country – 143.8c per litre of diesel and 148.8c per litre of petrol in one of their outlets, while in Galway City, prices are averaging 146.9c for diesel and 151.9c for petrol.

Applegreen’s large network of stations across Ireland and its impending presence in Galway is expected to drive fuel price competition.

However, while permission was granted for a 24-hour filling service, restrictions were placed on what elements of trade can take place.

The plans – on the site of the former Hanley’s Maxol station – involve the demolition of the existing workshop and the removal of underground fuel tanks, and the construction of a new 5,000 square foot single storey building with three food counters, retail area and toilets.

The plans also include a brush wash area and single storey carwash building, and three new 40,000 litre tanks to be placed underground.

Initial plans for a larger-scale premises were scaled back following the advice of the City Council.

There were objections to the application on the grounds that Applegreen’s primary business is retail and restaurant and that it would worsen traffic congestion on the Tuam Road.

It was also argued by objectors that the business would contravene residential zoning on the site, that it would detract from nearby residences, that it would be an “affront” to the objectives of the City Development Plan and that the adjacent car showroom would be “left in limbo”.

Planners approved the revised application, but ruled that while the fuel and convenience shop business can be 24-hour (operated through a hatch from midnight to 6am), there must be no food service after 11pm. The carwash can only operate from 7am to 10pm, while deliveries cannot be made outside of those hours.

They also ruled that the existing internal vehicular link to the former Renault showroom should remain closed off by gates.