Laois business at Portlaoise M7 junction needs big new totem pole to ‘sustain’ trade

The operators of one of Portlaoise’s two M7 motorway service stations want to erect a 42-foot sign because they believe it’s necessary to sustain their business.

Plans have been lodged with Laois County Council for a 13-metre-high by four-metre-wide totem pole sign on the busy M7 Togher roundabout on the Abbeyleix Road. It will contain the Applegreen logo at the top and details of food offers below. 

A report submitted to the council on behalf of Petrogas Ltd says the sign is necessary at the Midway complex which is soon to include a Marks and Spencers.

“The proposed development is vital in order to inform motorists of the foodcourt at Midway and sustain this business in which the applicant has heavily invested,” it said.

The business promotion sign will be located near the perimeter of the applicant’s property not far from the M7 roundabout roadway. It is also at a height overlooking the M7 which carries Cork, Dublin, Limerick traffic around the Laois county town. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The applicant says the sign is not located in a visually sensitive area nor does not give rise to ‘visual clutter’. It is also argued that it does not impact on any road safety signage.

The applicants say the sign, which will be backlit, will notify motorists of the offers at Applegreen in Midway as existing signage to achieve this is limited.

“At present the only such signage is on the Abbeyleix road and is only visible to traffic accessing and egressing Portlaoise. The proposed new sign will seek to inform motorists on the roundabout junction, so they are aware of the Applegreen offers. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The report says the proposed sign by its nature is designed to be visible but a concerted effort has been made to ensure that the design is of a high quality and it does not have an “overpowering visual impact”. It is highlighted that the visual impact
is softened by the commercial buildings in the background (Midway) and the existing planting along the road edge to either side.

The applicants also contrast the situation to the nearby Portlaoise Plaza which they say has two such signs close to the same
roundabout junction. The Plaza, which is owned by Supermac’s, was built after the Midway which opened during the Celtic Tiger era. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

“There is an established precedent for such signage at Portlaoise Plaza nearby on the same roundabout,” says the report compiled by David Mulcahy Planning Consultants Ltd.

The application was lodged on July 4 with a decision due on August 28.

The Midway includes a filling station, foodcourt and hotel.