Greggs is to debut in Ireland later this year or early in 2016, Applegreen chief operations officer Joe Barrett has told the Irish Independent newspaper. 

According to the report, the decision to trial Greggs in the Republic comes after the success of its first outlet in Northern Ireland, which opened at a new Applegreen motorway service area on the M2 in Belfast in April. This was Applegreen’s first site in Northern Ireland.

At the announcement of the Northern Ireland launch, Greggs said the trial would enable it to assess Northern Ireland’s appetite for its offer.

At its Christmas trading update, Roger Whiteside, chief executive of Greggs, said it was “closer than ever” to opening in the province.  

A Greggs spokesperson said: “We are discussing with Applegreen the potential to do a small scale extension to the current trial in Northern Ireland, as we believe that there may be further opportunities in the Republic of Ireland. We would hope to be able to launch with them early in the New Year.”