What do we know about ?
The Company
Applegreen is an Irish petrol forecourt retailer that was listed on the Irish stock exchange and the London AIM market in 2015 with plans to expand into the UK and USA. The company's public listing did not last long and in 2021 the two founders, Bob Etchingham and Joe Barrett took Applegreen private again, with the help of a large investment from Blackstone, which enabled Applegreen to purchase a 50% stake in UK Motorway Services operator Welcome Break. Despite this major strategic change at the company, Applegreen, Welcome Break and Blackstone continued to back plans to develop the UK's most controversial Motorway Service Area (MSA) site at Kirby Hill in North Yorkshire. Planning permission for an MSA at Kirby Hill has been rejected by the Secretary of State three times in the last 25 years, citing concerns about harm to the large-scale, open, rural landscape and to the environment at Kirby Hill. Applegreen & Welcome Break, backed by Blackstone's money, are taking on the local community again and funding a fourth attempt at securing the proposed development.
Company website at www.applegreenstores.com
Company information from Bloomberg.com
How financially strong is Applegreen plc?
Will Applegreen continue to underperform its industry?
The Plans
On 15th March 2017, Applegreen's CEO Bob Etchingham announced in an interview with the Irish Independent newspaper that a planning application had already been submitted at Kirby Hill. This turned out not to be true. The company eventually submitted a planning application for the Kirby Hill site on 31st July 2017.
Applegreen's CEO Bob Etchingham announcing the Kirby Hill planning application in the Irish Independent on 15th March 2017
Applegreen's website for the Kirby Hill Motorway Services proposal
Applegreen Jobs
Applegreen says that the proposed Kirby Hill MSA would create 300 local jobs. So what kind of an employer are they?
Reviews of Applegreen by employees on Glassdoor.com
Applegreen employee settles sexual harassment case for £6,000
Applegreen finance chief Paul Lynch to leave the company in June
Applegreen Development Director in legal action against his old colleagues
A day in the life of an Applegreen trainee - Dustin the Turkey
Applegreen manager sacked after investigation found worker not paid for 16 weeks
Applegreen Values
Applegreen says it is an experienced MSA operator and a good neighbour to local communities. Judge for yourself:
Applegreen apologises to motorists after fuel mix-up
Applegreen charging different fuel prices on either side of the M1 motorway
Creche secures injunction over Applegreen station pumping "foul" smelling waste water
Applegreen closes Dublin service station over rat video
10 killed in Applegreen petrol station explosion