CANADIAN coffee chain Tim Hortons is to open its first outlet in Co Armagh as part of its target to open 25 stores across the north.
The company, which has already opened three outlets in the north since May 2018, has submitted a planning application for a new drive-thru in Portadown.
The coffee shop proposal from the coffee group’s parent owner SK Group, centres on a car park just north of the Meadows Retail Park at Meadows Lane/Sandy Row, in the centre of the town.
It’s understood around ten jobs could be created. Industry monitor Construction Information Services (CIS) Ireland, has valued the single story cafe project at around £410,000
The Canadian coffee chain is already pressing ahead with plans for a similar drive-thru development in Coleraine.
The company secured planning permission in July for a new drive-thru at the Riverside Retail Park, on a site previously used by car dealer Isaac Agnew.
To date, Tim Hortons has opened outlets in Belfast city centre and at the Connswater Retail Park in the east of the city. A third outlet opened on the Antrim Road in Glengormley in November.
Tim Hortons has increasingly sought to expand its presence beyond the greater Belfast area.
In a report produced for planning officials at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council last month, the Canadian group said it wants to open around 25 stores in the north within the next two years.
That would see a significant escalation of its presence here, involving a major building programme.
It would also put the Canadian group on par with Starbucks, which already operates 24 coffee shops around the north.
Caffe Nero remains the biggest player on the coffee scene here, with 30 stores.
