A Belfast company has secured a €500,000 (£410,000) contract to install shop interiors to a major coffee chain at six motorway service stations in the Republic.

Dunmurry-based McNicholl Hughes, a specialist shop fitting and interior construction company, is to fit out Costa Coffee outlets at the Applegreen motorway service stations in counties Dublin, Louth and Meath.

McNicholl Hughes, which was established 10 years ago, has 15 staff and said it was planning to employ another two by 2011 as a result of further growth.

Managing director Mark Hughes said: "We are delighted to bring our trusted experience with the Costa Coffee chain to Applegreen and look forward to creating the six stores. This contract builds on the success we have already experienced in the Republic of Ireland having worked with Educo Gym and Specsavers."

The company received support from Invest NI for a sales and marketing campaign targeting markets in the Republic and Great Britain.

Oonagh Hinds, regional manager in Invest NI, said: "By undertaking focused marketing activity McNicholl Hughes expects to achieve a 70% increase in sales, a significant proportion of which will be outside Northern Ireland. Our support for this export drive will help the business develop its marketing and management capability, build its profile and consolidate its position in the interior construction sector."

Invest NI offered support of £16,000 towards total company investment £140,000 in marketing and new staff. Two of the Costa stores will be developed in Lusk, Co Dublin, a further two in Castlebellingham, Co Louth and another two in Enfield Co Meath.

In July Applegreen said it would create 300 jobs after winning contracts to operate the new motorway service stations.