PITSTOP: Centra Mallusk, Mayfield Link, Newtonabbey, NI

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Our mystery motorist on a mission visits Circle K-branded Centra Mallusk Service Station in Mayfield Link Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland

Pitstop circle

Centra Mallusk, Mayfield Link, Newtonabbey

2020_Pitstop_rating

Time of visit: 10am

Kerb appeal

The site is easy to spot thanks to its strong branding.

Pump action

It’s a Circle K forecourt with bright red, orange and white branding. It’s well laid out, smart and clean. Fuel prices seem competitive. The vacuum machine was out of order.

There is a lot of sustainability signage around the site including the fact that Centra is embarking on a tree-planting exercise and that its Frank and Honest coffee cups and lids are now 100% compostable.

There is plenty of parking.

Store style

It’s a Centra-branded store. The outside has the yellow Centra fascia on a grey background and big glass windows.

Inside it’s very spacious with wide aisles and displays placed at an angle. It has an open ceiling with loads of spotlights.

On a mission

I was looking for a late breakfast/early brunch and was not disappointed!

Straight away I spotted a display of foil-wrapped Bacon, Sausage & Egg Wraps.

The Frank and Honest coffee area was tidy and well stocked up. There was also a good choice of drinks in the chillers including juices and chilled coffees.

There was a big display of bagged scones, pain au chocolat and croissants. They looked like they were either thaw-and-serve or bake-off items. However, many of them were reduced and these types of products need to be fresh.

There was a chiller with yogurts, overnight oats and milk drinks.

The piece de resistance was the hot food serve-over area where you were greeted with the message: ‘Morning Noon & Night. Always Made Fresh for You’. Big screens across the back highlight products and promotions.

At the counter, I had the choice of creating my own sandwich, having a chopped salad bowl or wrap, having something from the rotisserie chicken or choosing from a vast display of breakfast items (sausages, bacon, beans, fried bread, pancakes). Signage offered a Mini Fry (five pieces); Mayfield Fry (seven pieces) or Mighty Fry (10 pieces). Also available was the Breakfast Wrap, which is what I went for.

The staff could not have been more helpful. I chose bacon, egg and mushroom to go in my Wrap but was told I needed a fourth item so chose beans. Surprisingly – and deliciously – the egg was freshly fried for me. It was fantastic; especially at the price of £3.80. Wow! I don’t think I have ever had a better breakfast at a forecourt.

At your convenience

The toilet was nice and clean. My only comment would be that it needed a mirror above the sink in there.

Open all hours

The site is open from 6am to 11pm on weekdays, and from 11am to 11pm at the weekend.

Anything else

I assume the people of Northern Ireland love their cakes because everywhere I looked there seemed to be a display of cakes. The Butterfly Buns were really tempting!

There was also an attractive display of Yankee Candles at what looked like a very competitive price.

The shop also has a delightful Mood ice cream counter by the till area. It looked really nice but the timing of my visit meant it was a little early for ice cream!