'Unrecognisable from that of just 10 years ago': Family-owned forecourt retailer announces £14m Northern Ireland investment plan with up to 100 jobs

Northern Ireland family-owned forecourt retaile Maxol has announced plans to invest £14m in Northern Ireland over the next two years, with the potential to create up to 100 jobs, as the family-owned forecourt retailer reported a strong trading performance for 2025.

The company, which has its roots in County Down, said the investment programme for 2027 and 2028 would support major redevelopments, new convenience facilities and the expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, subject to planning approval.

The announcement came as Maxol Group revealed an increase in turnover and profits for 2025, despite continued inflationary pressures and a challenging trading environment.

Group turnover rose by 1.1% to £663m, compared with £656m in 2024, while profit before tax, excluding exceptional items, increased to £33.9m from £27.8m.

The business also finished the year in a strong financial position, with no net bank debt and a substantial cash surplus.

Brian Donaldson, chief executive of Maxol, said growth and innovation remained central to the group's investment strategy, with a particular focus on strengthening its food and convenience offering across Northern Ireland.

He explained: "Maxol's transformation over the past decade has fundamentally changed the role of the traditional local service station, with food, coffee, convenience retail and car washing now not only central to the company's growth strategy, but also our approach to customer service.

"The Maxol service station of today is almost unrecognisable from that of just 10 years ago."

The company has committed £2.5m to strategic investments at four Northern Ireland sites over the past 12 months, including Scarva Road in Banbridge, Bryansburn in Bangor, Glenabbey in Glengormley and Eglinton in Londonderry.

A £1.4m redevelopment at Maxol Bryansburn is underway, bringing an extended and refurbished SPAR shop, an enlarged Grab and Go area, additional customer parking and a new standalone drive-through car wash. The work is expected to be completed by February 2027.

At Maxol Eglinton, a £450,000 investment is nearing completion. The project includes a revamped store layout, an expanded grocery and frozen food offer, new bakery stands and an upgraded hot food and deli area. The site is also the first in Northern Ireland to trial Maxol Market Deli, which is already available in the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile, £365,000 has been invested in upgrading the shop at Maxol Scarva Road, while a £225,000 refurbishment at Maxol Glenabbey has introduced SPAR's latest retail concept, increased chilled food capacity and improved the site's energy efficiency.

Maxol has also opened its first store in partnership with Greggs at its Auto24 Beechlawn forecourt in Dunmurry, offering freshly prepared food and drinks throughout the day.

Food and convenience retail remain central to the group's wider strategy, with Mr Donaldson highlighting the importance of product choice, quality and customer experience.

"I cannot overstate how important food is to our business,” he explained. “It sets us apart from competitors and plays a key role in how we build customer loyalty, shaping how we develop and deliver our own food concepts and the way in which we work with trusted partners and support local producers. Technology is also key to enhancing the customer experience, helping to make every visit as seamless as possible.”

The company is also preparing to accelerate investment in EV charging infrastructure as demand for electric vehicles grows.

Having opened the island of Ireland's first dedicated ultra-rapid EV charging hub at Maxol Kinnegar in Holywood in December 2022, the group is now planning further facilities at Cherryvalley in east Belfast and Hazelbank on the Shore Road, as well as Rathnew in County Wicklow.

The new hubs will be powered by 100% renewable energy, with Maxol also developing an app function allowing customers to pay for charging through their mobile phones.

Mr Donaldson said the company was taking a measured approach to EV investment, balancing growing demand with challenges around grid capacity, access to power and planning.

Looking ahead, the £14m Northern Ireland investment programme includes several major developments awaiting planning approval.

The largest is a proposed redevelopment of Maxol Auto24 Hazelbank, representing an investment of more than £6m. The site would be transformed into a mobility hub featuring a new convenience and freshly prepared food facility, an expanded forecourt, EV charging facilities and contactless payment options.

Plans also include the first American-style conveyor car wash in Maxol's Northern Ireland network, alongside solar panels, water harvesting, energy-efficient refrigeration and battery storage.

At Maxol Cherryvalley in east Belfast, the company is proposing a £2m investment to extend and modernise the store, introduce SPAR's latest retail concept, expand parking and install a four-bay high-speed EV charging hub.

Meanwhile, plans have been submitted for a development at Glendermott Road in Londonderry, incorporating a quick-service restaurant, EV charging hub and an American-style conveyor car wash. Subject to planning approval, work is expected to begin in late 2027.

Mr Donaldson said the company remained ambitious about its future growth but warned that planning delays and the rising cost of doing business were creating challenges for investment.

He said: “We have the ambition and drive to grow our business, but we need a more streamlined and less cumbersome planning process to help us unlock both the investment and jobs we're ready to deliver over the next two years.

“We understand and respect due process, but planning has become more challenging for our business.”

Maxol, which was founded in 1920 and remains owned by the McMullan family, operates 249 sites across Ireland, including 124 in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland that are company-owned.

The group employs 85 people directly and supports around 1,300 jobs indirectly across its network.