Derry firm becomes one of UK’s biggest carpark operators after buying NCP

HomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of the Earth EarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersDerry firm becomes one of UK's biggest car park operators after buying NCP30 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJohn CampbellEconomics and business editor, BBC News NIGetty ImagesA Londonderry company has become one of the UK's biggest car park operators after buying NCP out of administration.

The deal means the Martin Group will control more than 100 sites.

The NCP business collapsed in March 2026 after a sustained period of declining performance left it unable to pay its debts.

At that time some of its sites were closed or transferred to other operators.

The administrators, PwC, said the majority of NCP's 145 sites would now transfer to the Martin Group along with the staff who work there.

Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said the deal protected hundreds of jobs and delivered the best outcome for creditors.

"Keeping NCP's car parks open also helps keep Britain's town and city centres moving," he added.

"We would like to thank all of NCP's staff and directors for their support and professionalism throughout what has understandably been a period of uncertainty."

NCP's major problems included being locked into long-term leases with property owners and building up a large amount of debt.

The Martin Group already has a substantial commercial property portfolio across the UK including the Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston and the Mercury Shopping Centre in Romford.

It has recently expanded its hotels business, developing The Bedford Hotel in Belfast and buying The Waterfoot in Derry.