The landmark Casey’s commercial enterprise in Roscommon town will be expanded in the New Year in a project which is expected to create an additional 30 new jobs in the county town on top of the 80 people employed by the business at the moment.
‘Casey’s Auto Centre’ has been granted planning permission by Roscommon County Council to expand its current premises at Athlone Road, Roscommon from its current 600 square metre size to 1,500 square metres over the course of the next 17 months. In the process 30 new jobs will be created.
Casey’s applied for planning permission in June of this year for the major expansion to the Centra shop and Supermac’s outlet. Roscommon County Council gave the green light last Thursday.
The news represents a significant economic boost to the town. Jim McCausland (Manager at Casey’s) says construction will begin in January and is expected to take between 14 and 16 months to complete. The improvements form part of the company’s commitment to their customers.
He told the Roscommon People: “The business in its current format was developed in 2005. It has evolved to encompass Centra, Supermac’s, Topaz fuel, Papa John’s Pizza, Ticketmaster – it’s the only Ticketmaster in the county – and Smooch Ice cream along with our coffee partners, Bewley’s.
“The new development has come about because we want to further enhance the customer experience in the store – with more parking space, and to put the site on the map for people coming through Roscommon and hopefully that will have a knock-on impact for other businesses in the area.”
The new development will see the Supermac’s’ seating area doubled in size, parking for coaches and cars extended, and the shop area expanded to include more seating outside and a new coffee shop.
The development will create 30 new jobs, with many more created in the initial construction phase with local firm, Collins Boyd, leading the build. When construction is completed, Jim says there will be between 25 and 30 new positions at the site, a mixture of full and part-time jobs.
Jim added: “We’re delighted that we’ve come to this stage where we can do this and invest not just in the business but in the local area too.”
Jim believes the development is a much-needed boost for the town and a sign that things are finally picking up.
“This year we’re seeing positive things: a big investment in Dr. Hyde Park, new services coming to the hospital, Topline Ward’s have done a fantastic job on their store as well.
“The Casey family, being a local family and living in the area and owning the business in the area, want to develop things locally, they want to enhance the area and so they’re very, very proud that this will be achieved with this development.”
It’s all part of Casey’s commitment to local development, says Jim.
“Anywhere there’s a development of the local area, we’re involved in it. This year, for example, for the second year running we’ve donated about 20,000 flower bulbs to different Tidy Towns groups.”
Jim went on to highlight the support offered to local clubs and described Roscommon as “a great place in which to do business.” He also highlighted the work of his current staff, some of whom have been with the company for a number of years.
He said: “Alan McDermott has worked his way up to deputy manager while staff like Marie Morris, James O’Neill and Aidan Maguire to name just a few, have been with us for a number of years.”
The hope at Casey’s, according to Jim, is that next year’s redevelopment will provide long-term jobs for 30 more local people in the coming years. A positive sign that local businesses are beginning to bloom again following a harsh economic winter.
