23 September 2026
By Valerie Ryan
Valerie@TheCork.ie
M&P O’Sullivan has welcomed the granting of planning permission for a new music and education venue* on the site occupied by their business GW Biggs in Bantry, describing the approval as a significant boost for the town and the wider West Cork region.
M&P O’Sullivan acquired Biggs Catering Company in 2025, bringing the longstanding West Cork business into the Cork-based family-owned foodservice company. Since the acquisition, GW Biggs has continued to serve customers across Bantry and the wider West Cork area as part of the M&P O’Sullivan business.
The planning approval will mean the GW Biggs warehouse in Bantry will close on October 31, 2026, to facilitate the impending construction works.
Leatitia Deacy, Jim O’Keeffe, Denis O’Sullivan, Mike McCarthy and John Connolly from Biggs Catering Company, Patrick and Eoin O’Sullivan, Directors of M&P O’Sullivan and Lisa Drummey from Biggs Catering Company.
Picture: Miki Barlok
However, M&P O’Sullivan has stressed that the warehouse closure does not mean GW Biggs is leaving Bantry or West Cork.
Following the warehouse closure, GW Biggs customers will continue to be served through the company’s established delivery service, with orders fulfilled directly from M&P O’Sullivan’s Cork operation, as it has done since the takeover.
The company said there will be no interruption to deliveries, with GW Biggs continuing to serve customers throughout Bantry and the wider West Cork region.
M&P O’Sullivan and GW Biggs are also engaging directly with employees affected by the warehouse closure and are exploring opportunities for them within the wider M&P O’Sullivan business.
Eoin and Patrick O’Sullivan, Directors of M&P O’Sullivan, said the planning approval represented an important development for Bantry and the wider West Cork region. “We are delighted to see planning permission approved for the site. This will be a huge boost to Bantry and all of West Cork, and we are pleased to see the development moving forward.
“This will mean that the GW Biggs warehouse will close on October 31, 2026, to facilitate the impending construction. We want to be very clear that the closure of the warehouse does not mean GW Biggs is leaving Bantry or West Cork. GW Biggs will continue to serve its customers across Bantry and the wider West Cork area through our established delivery service.
“We would like to thank all of our customers who have continued to support a local Cork company and the GW Biggs team.”
Founded in 1905, M&P O’Sullivan has grown from humble beginnings into one of Ireland’s established family-run wholesalers. The fourth-generation business operates across the foodservice and convenience retail sectors, with a focus on quality, innovation and community.
The company operates a fleet of more than 28 vehicles, delivering nationwide, and supplies more than 15,000 product lines across categories including frozen, chilled, ambient, soft drinks, packaging, alcohol, food equipment and catering supplies.
M&P O’Sullivan is also a shareholder in Gala Retail Services, which oversees a network of more than 140 Gala stores, and 60 Your Stop locations across Ireland.
The company employs 180 people and serves approximately 3,000 customers from its multi-temperature warehouse on Sarsfield Road in Cork city.
M&P O’Sullivan’s current holdings include the Irish Homestead, White Hat, Red Abbey and Brennan’s Caterworld ranges. The company also operates Gala Retail and Your Stop franchises and owns two Gala stores, with plans for further acquisitions.
Biggs Catering Company is a longstanding West Cork business, known for its focus on quality and customer service.
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