The Supermac’s group is preparing to enter the Northern Ireland market with a planning application for a motorway services site in Ballygawley, County Tyrone. Owner Pat McDonagh indicated the move was prompted by frustration with planning delays for recent projects in the Republic of Ireland.

The company’s latest Republic service station, the Banner Plaza in Ennis, required over a decade of planning procedures, including two judicial reviews, and incurred planning costs of €2 million. McDonagh noted that the Ballygawley application was being pursued because he believed the process might be easier in Northern Ireland.

Supermac’s Holdings reported sales of around €375 million in 2024 and holds close to €300 million in assets. The group currently operates 11 motorway plazas across the Republic. The proposed Northern Ireland location would be its first venture outside the Republic.