New dog wash pod and high-powered jet car wash among new additions in £500k investment at Co Armagh service station
A dog wash pod and a high-powered jet car wash are proving popular additions to the recent £500k investment at Centra in Craigavon.
Now employing 38 people, the supermarket and filling station opened almost 8 years ago at the prime location across from the South Lakes Leisure Centre.
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It is proving to be a huge hit with locals and visitors alike, always busy with its popular deli and competitively priced filling station.
Owner Tom Greene, who set the development up with his brother, revealed they have just completed the final stage of a half a million pound refurbishment which has been about 18 months in the making.
First to arrive was the new 3 bay high-powered jet car wash with car vacuum. Then they installed a 2 bay revolution laundrette system. They also have an air and water machine.
And already the new fully enclosed dog wash pod on the forecourt is proving an extremely popular addition – particularly for owners of pooches who take their dogs for walks around the lakes.
"We got the dog wash pod in just before Christmas and as far as I know it is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. There are other places have a dog wash but we have a dog wash pod which means you can go into the comfort of the pod and wash the dog. It has hot water, shampoo and conditioner and the facility to dry the dog but the beauty of it is you are not getting soaked while you are washing the dog,” he revealed.
"It’s in its own compacted pod and it’s the best that I have seen about which is why we went for it,” said Tom.
“18 months ago we wanted to add other services and we wanted to develop the store. Half a million was a big spend for us but obviously in this current climate half a million doesn’t go far,” he revealed.
The forecourt is looking well with its new totem pole and front facia Centra signage plus all the car parking spaces, walls and fencing have been freshly painted.
They have also spruced up the inside with a modern black ceiling and state-of-the-art and highly efficient LED lighting.
"The LED lighting is special as it will help with our carbon footprint,” said Tom.
Inside there is the newest Frank and Honest coffee machine which now includes Chai Lattes, hot chocolate and iced coffees. The off licence is also doing a roaring trade.
With new shelving and a new tilling system with the most up-to-date software, customers will be impressed.
Tom said: “The shop has extended and the range has extended as well.”
From starting off with around 20 employees the firm now has 38 staff.
"It’s a mixture of part time, students, older staff, people who are paying mortgages etc. We are glad we are doing our wee bit for the community as the community has supported us. All the people working for us are in the local community,” he said.