new Esso City Automarket on Richmond Road. In 1946, Esso opened its first service station on the same site, making it the oldest -- and now, the newest in Bermuda.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the service station will not only fill up your car at any hour of the night or day, but can also come to the rescue if you run out of bread or have forgotten to buy cat food.

Besides the seven-pump, full service operation in the forecourt, there is a convenience store where 1,400 sq.ft. are devoted to the sale of freshly prepared take-away food, hot and cold beverages, baby foods, basic grocery items, frozen foods, dairy produce, health and beauty items, snacks, candies, magazines and newspapers. And, of course, a full range of motoring accessories.

Esso CCA (Caribbean and Central America), who own the site, financed the six-month operation which saw the old station completely demolished to make way for the enlarged, state-of-the-art complex.

Mr. W. Keith Hollis, General Manager of Esso Bermuda, says that the design of the service station is the standard, three-gondola type, used throughout the region. The plan was modified as much as possible, however, to try and retain a flavour of Bermudian architecture. "Esso has built about 100 of these types of centres throughout the Caribbean and Central America, but this is the only one with a white `Bermuda' roof!'' Architect Mr. Terry Bowers, of Terceira and Leitner Associates was the on-site architect who co-ordinated the mechanical and electrical works. One of the problems confronting Mr. Bowers was fitting five underground fuel tanks into a rather smaller area than is usually the case in Esso's overseas projects. "It took about two weeks to complete because we encountered some very hard rock just below the surface and a cave, about 30 feet down.'' He also explained that the Planning Department did not like Esso's flat roof and he therefore designed a Bermuda profile roof. "The Esso building is, in fact, the only one in that immediate area that has a traditional-style roof,'' he commented.

The major contractor was Mr. George DeSilva of Hi-Span Construction. In keeping with Esso policy, the day-to-day management has been handed over to operating agent, Fred Pereech.

His key members of staff include store manager, 19-year-old Mr. Jose Hoare, who has completed Esso's training courses in retail store operation in Puerto Rico, and at Marriott's Castle Harbour Hotel. Mr. Jason Souza is the floor supervisor and Ms Gloria Hunt is principal cashier.

In the forecourt, which has access from Richmond Road, Church Street and Par-La-Ville Road, are seven double-nozzled pumps providing gasoline, mixed gas, diesel fuel and kerosene. Full service is supplied by a team of young pump attendants who are qualified to check oil levels, batteries and cooling systems or adjust tyre pressures at the air station.

There is direct voice-system contact between the attendants and the cashier through Pearman Watlington & Co.'s Data Cap system, which activates and monitors each pump. It also provides accounts receivable and payable and a complete inventory control of all retail items.

Attached to the cash register is a timed drop safe, which ensures that there is only a minimum amount of cash on hand at any given time. Security surveillance is provided by Island Wide Security.

The Bank of Bermuda Ltd. has installed an ATM machine in one corner of the market area.

The store, which has free-standing shelving and walk-in coolers, is the most comprehensive of its kind in Bermuda.

As Mr. Pereech explains: "The emphasis is on convenience -- we are definitely not a supermarket. We will be carrying emergency items and fast food.'' He noted that the other emphasis is on cleanliness, with staff on duty 24 hours a day, cleaning equipment and re-stocking items. "We have been working very closely with Mr. Roger Mello, the health inspector, seeking his advice before we try anything new.'' There are certainly some new features in the bright, and spotlessly clean market, not least of which is the spacious self-service area where customers may pour fresh coffee and tea, buy ice-cream or use the soda machine and a carbonated `slush' machine -- which Mr. Pereech believes is the first on the Island. There are also hot-dogs, hot cheese to drizzle over warmed Nachos, and a popcorn machine.

Locally made meat pies and a large selection of frozen foods can be popped in the microwave, while there are daily deliveries of fresh sandwiches, salads, cakes and pastries.

The major food and drink suppliers are J.S. Vallis & Co. Ltd., Winter-Cookson & Co. Ltd., Purvis Ltd. and Butterfield & Co., "all of whom have been exceptionally helpful, suggesting products we should carry and helping us to set everything up,'' said Mr. Pereech, who is also looking for input from customers on the items they would like to see carried in future.

Mr. Pereech has been operating the Richmond Road service station since 1989, during which time he has seen the facility enjoy steady, even spectacular growth. "Now we're expecting even better things! I would like to give credit to our young and aggressive staff and I would also like to pay tribute to two key Esso Bermuda personnel, Thomas Dunstan and Andrew Dias, who have given us so much support in this project.'' MR. FRED PEREECH -- operating agent for the Esso City Automarket.

AT YOUR CONVENIENCE -- An interior view of the convenience store at the new Esso City Automarket.

THE OLD AND THE NEW -- A horse and carriage makes its way past the Esso City Automarket on Richmond Road, the newest haven for the motor car that overtook the long reign of the horse.

MS GLORIA HUNT -- Cashier at the Esso City Automarket.