Derry firm becomes one of UK's biggest car park operators after buying NCP
The Martin Group has become one of the UK's biggest car park operators after buying NCP out of administration.
A Londonderry company has become one of the UK’s largest car park operators after acquiring NCP out of administration.
The transaction means the Martin Group will oversee more than 100 sites.
NCP went into collapse in March 2026 after a prolonged period of falling performance left it unable to meet its debts.
By that point, some of its sites had already been shut or handed over to other operators.
PwC, the administrators, said most of NCP’s 145 sites would now move to the Martin Group, together with the employees working at them.
Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and partner at PwC, said the deal safeguarded hundreds of jobs and produced the best result 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 main difficulties included being tied into long-term leases with property owners and accumulating significant debt.
The Martin Group already has a sizeable commercial property portfolio across the UK, including the Fishergate Shopping Centre in Preston and the Mercury Shopping Centre in Romford.
It has also recently grown its hotels business, developing The Bedford Hotel in Belfast and purchasing The Waterfoot in Derry.
Gary Martin, director of Martin Property Group, said the company’s aim was to “build on the strength and heritage of the NCP brand so it can once again deliver the lasting impact on the communities it serves”.
“NCP is an iconic brand with a loyal customer base and talented workforce,” he added.
Rob England, chief executive of NCP, said it was “a fantastic day for NCP”.
“We have had to make difficult, necessary decisions to keep the business moving forward,” he said.
England said NCP was “immensely grateful” to its employees, customers and suppliers, and that its priority was “to restore full operational momentum and build a sustainable platform for long-term growth”.