A successful first year in business for the N17 Plaza located near Tuam in Co. Galway culminated in its SPAR outlet winning ‘Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Large) – Silver Award’ at the 2022 ShelfLife National C-Store Awards.
A one-stop shop for all your needs when making the journey along the M17 Motorway, the N17 Plaza – which takes its name from the iconic Saw Doctors song and the road that inspired it – is one of the latest additions to The Plaza Group. Opened on March 11 2022 and employing 70 full-time and part-time staff, it features a food court consisting of a Supermac’s, Papa John’s Pizza, SuperSubs, Mac’s Deli, Mac’s Place Deli and coffee barista as well as a large, spacious seating area. There is also a SPAR convenience shop and Texaco fuel pumps which are open 24 hours, and EV charge points for electric vehicles.
The N17 Plaza is part of the Plaza Group which also operates eight other Plazas in Moneygall, Tipperary Town, Mallow, Kiltullagh, Kinnegad, Charlestown, Portlaoise and Loughrea. The Plaza Group is one of Ireland’s leading independent motorway and primary route services group. It was formed by the managing directors of Supermac’s, Pat and Una McDonagh, who have over 40 years’ experience in the sector, offering world-class food and retail services.
The variety of choice on the menu means there is something tasty and tempting at the Plazas for everybody. The Plazas serve fresh coffee from their barista, while their attention to quality and service means that the deli offering at Mac’s Diner is going from strength to strength. Key to the Group’s success is a strong relationship with customers. What the Plazas offer, it is driven by customer demand.
The ShelfLife National C-Store Awards celebrate success in one of the country’s most vibrant sectors. The annual awards bring together some of the most dynamic companies for a memorable night to celebrate the industry’s finest stores and people in a diverse range of categories.
“Our first year in business has gone really well. Winning this award is the icing on the cake,” N17 Plaza Site Manager Harry Cronin says.
“We’re conveniently located close to the super-junction of the M17 motorway and N17 road, and are the perfect place to stop before continuing on your journey. Alan Bradburn is manager of our SPAR store and I would like to congratulate him and his staff on winning this award. It is no more than they deserve.”
Harry is grateful for the support the N17 Plaza receives from local and passing customers on a daily basis.
“People have been so supportive. One of our objectives when we first opened our doors was to be a part of the local community and to help Tuam to grow and prosper,” he explains.
“Not only have we created employment, we have also supported local groups and organisations. And they have repaid us to the extent that 68% of our trade is local. I would like to thank the people of Tuam and the surrounding area for embracing us and helping us to get off the ground.”
He continues: “We’re also extremely grateful for the passing trade we receive. Lots of buses stop off here on the way to Knock, the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan and other well-known destinations in the West.”
The N17 Plaza is proud to sponsor the Pat McDonagh Business Award, the inaugural winner of which was 2021/22 Leaving Cert student Eimhin Mulligan. This is a dedicated Business Studies award for Leaving Cert students attending St Jarlath’s College in Tuam.
Eimhin was picked from a wide range of nominees by an independent team of internal and external adjudicators. The winner excelled during his time at St Jarlath’s College, at both Business and Accounting subject exams in the 2021/22 Leaving Cert. Eimhin is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce in University of Galway.
Upon receiving his award, Eimhin said “I’ve always had a major interest in business studies and the business world and this award is a great boost for me, not to mention what it will do for my CV.
“I’d sincerely like to thank all the teachers and staff in St Jarlath’s College and to the N17 Plaza and Pat McDonagh for sponsoring this great award.”
The award’s main objective is to entice current St Jarlath’s Leaving Cert students to explore the options available to them post-Leaving Certificate in a business-related course and career. The initiative includes a cash prize and a Business Award plaque, an achievement that can be added to his CV.
As the N17 Plaza continues to go from strength to strength, Harry Cronin would like to take this opportunity to thank its customers, suppliers and staff for all their support to date.
The Plaza Group
Supermac’s Head Office,
Ballybrit,
Galway.
Telephone: 091 774100
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.plazagroup.ie
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 2 No 1, Summer 2023
