The new BP service centre on the Parkes Bypass is open and it will be accompanied by a McDonald’s restaurant by the end of the year.
The former 24 hour BP Truckstop on the Forbes Road (near the rail line on the former highway) has since closed permanently, when the new location opened.
Site manager Tanya Wilson and her staff are looking forward to this new chapter as they said goodbye to the truckstop that has served locals, visitors and travellers for more than 30 years.
"Everyone is very excited," she said ahead of the opening, which took place on September 24.
"We're moving into a centre that's bigger and better."
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Its official name is the BP Parkes Gateway at 23-53 Westlime Road, named for its location at the Parkes SAP's northern gateway that will connect the precinct with the Parkes town centre and Newell Highway.
The service centre features a convenience store, truck drivers lounge with showers, laundry and diner, and 26 heavy vehicle parking spaces to provide a much needed rest stop on this significant transport route.
McDonald’s were the first to be offered the space and licensee of the already established Parkes CBD and Forbes restaurants Jenny McLeod said it was an opportunity far too great to pass up.
"It has so much potential for the future growth of Parkes," she said.
"With the bypass, the SAP and logistics hub surrounding it, there's going to be phenomenal growth out there."
The new restaurant will bring 65 local jobs, of which 25 new staff have already been hired in the last few months.
"This location will appeal to the travellers and the truckies - there's no room for that at Parkes or Forbes," Jenny said.
"It will have something like 20 or so B double spots, there will be showers so people can make more of a planned stop.
"With McDonald's we can tap into those travellers and truckies, and then we'll still have the one in town for locals."
Jenny and Dave moved to Parkes and became the proud owners of Parkes and Forbes McDonald’s three years ago.
It was a dream come true to own a restaurant - or two - for the couple, with Jenny having started out as a McDonald’s crew member at 14 years old.
"I'm super excited to have a third restaurant," she said.
The new McDonald’s is under construction, with the aim of opening to the public towards the end of the year.
The former truckstop will be demolished in the future with no confirmed date as yet.
There will be no changes to the BP East End service station in Clarinda Street, however management is expecting an increase in customers since it will become the only commercial petrol station on the southern side of town and is asking the community to bear with them as they adjust to the change.
