Onroute Truckstops shares plans for the business with Truckstop News
Over the past five years Onroute has acquired several truckstops and we are on the lookout for more to meet planned expansion.
Editor of Truckstop News, Pip Dunn, spoke with our Operations Manager, Alisdair Shearer, for an update on how things are progressing and to discuss goals for the business. Here are a few highlights from the interview.
Alisdair said; "We want to create a comprehensive network (of truckstops) across the UK which offers drivers consistently good quality services and facilities. We are currently in the process of acquiring a fifth truckstop which is exciting, hopefully this will be announced in the coming months.
Buying a truckstop is not simply a case of putting a new logo on uniforms and signs, it’s about improving them, making them better for customers in all aspects – facilities, quality and value.
"We want to invest in improving our sites as much possible, for example we have resurfaced Junction 29 (Chesterfield) and will soon be upgrading the showers and toilets at Swindon. Other small improvements include installing new barista style coffee machines at all our sites to provide customers with freshly ground Lavazza coffee. We also invest in ongoing training for staff, such as recent courses in mental health awareness and wellbeing.
"We did a survey and found that drivers rate security above all else, so we are in the process of upgrading our CCTV systems and are working to achieve Park Mark Freight across all our sites. Avon lodge has an automatic gate which provides a secure compound, we also now have overnight manned security at Ulceby, Swindon and Junction 29, so drivers can get a good night’s sleep knowing they are safe."
Building brand consistency across all sites
Alisdair has always worked in hospitality. He was at Everyman Cinemas before joining Onroute, where he worked across 36 sites throughout the UK. He brings many skills to his new role, including an in-depth understanding of how a successful hospitality brand operates, which he believes will be key to growing the Onroute Truckstops network in the UK.
"Top of my to-do list is to achieve consistency across our sites, which having started out as independent, family-run businesses are all quite different. At Everyman, each cinema is also very different, but you always know you’re in one of their venues. This is down to brand consistency and it’s what I want to achieve at Onroute."
He says he’s excited for the future of Onroute Truckstops. “We have a strong foundation to build on and great people to work with. We have ambitious plans to grow and there will be plenty of opportunities for staff to progress.”
"We’re here to serve the drivers, be a ‘home away from home’ for them. They don’t necessarily care where they buy fuel, but they do care about clean, well-maintained facilities, great service and good food. They need to know they can expect the same Onroute welcome and quality of service whichever of our sites they visit.”
Read full interview here
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