Press Release – For Immediate Release
Issued by the Galway Commuter Coalition
Widespread Opposition to proposed Starbucks Drive-Through
A petition to stop Starbucks opening a new drive-through received over 2,500 signatures in less than a month.
Galway Commuter Coalition launched the petition in response to plans for the new drive-through development on the Headford Road. Another drive-through at the Galway Shopping Centre is the last thing the Headford Road and the surrounding area need, and the Galway public agree.
The Coalition, together with the petition’s signatories, is calling on Galway City Council to refuse Starbucks planning permission for the proposed development.
If approved, the development would:
Generate more traffic at one of Galway City’s most congested junctions. Encourage further car-dependent development in a highly central urban location, decreasing footfall in the shopping centre. Fly directly in the face of the policies and objectives set out in Galway City Council’s own City Development Plan.
The proposed development is approximately 650 metres from Eyre Square and would be located immediately beside an existing Supermac’s drive-through.
“Another drive-through at the Galway Shopping Centre is the last thing the Headford Road and the surrounding area need, and the Galway public agree.
This is a highly central location, close to the heart of the city, and we should be making better use of sites like this. Galway City Council approving another car-dependent development here would fly in the face of Galway City Council’s own city development plan and make traffic worse for tens of thousands of Galway residents.”
Cathal Lawlor, Chair of the Galway Commuter Coalition
The planning application is available here:
[View the planning application]{https://www.eplanning.ie/GalwayCity/AppFileRefDetails/2660292/0}
The deadline for submissions is 16 September 2026.
Cathal Lawlor
Chairperson
galwaycommutercoalition@gmail.com
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