Read Motor Group has opened an eighth dealership as turnover accelerates beyond the £100 million milestone.
The arrival of MG into the business prompted a second complete new build for the Grimsby-headquartered company, with the brand brought alongside Suzuki off Altyre Way.
And the 370 sq m 12-car showroom addition - delivered by Grimsby’s Topcon - will not be at the loss of the original Railway Street premises. Plans for a fleet business centre are to be realised to support its national customer base close to the A180 link to the UK motorway network.
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Managing director Mike Read is creating four new jobs in the process.
He said: “It is fantastic. We brought Suzuki into the group in 2014, and Suzuki has been a fantastic brand for us, and continues to go from strength to strength. The addition of MG, which has had a fantastic year in 2021 - growing rapidly in the UK - enabled us to do this.
“I’m absolutely delighted to open, and delighted with the build itself.
“It is our second new build as a group, and while we have expanded geographically, it has always been with established dealerships. Topcon has done both, and we’re delighted with them. It is ideal, as you always want to use someone local.”
A new six bay workshop and MoT station are also part of the build, located directly behind Tesco off Hewitt’s Circus, within what has become the focal point for car dealerships.
Nunns, Wilson, Stoneacre, JCT600 and Trenton are all represented, with Mazda, Isuzu, Vauxhall, Volvo, Audi, Nissan, Peugeot and Citroen sold within yards of each other.
Topcon has established a niche in the construction sector, behind much of Altyre Way and others further afield, including the flagship Read Hyundai base.
Mark Rendall-Tyrrell, managing director, was pleased to see it open with full fit-out gleaming.
He said: “It is great to have been back on Altyre Way, having built most of the site. With Mike being local, we know him, they are good people, and you can’t get better than that.”
Mr Read has also added a further acre of land behind The Pear Tree pub in the far corner of the site for vehicle storage, having done the original land deal for the Suzuki and MG site in 2019, as the acquisition of a Derby three-brand dealership completed.
An official opening weekend will launch on February 11, while it “got off to a great start” with first day sales completed, Mr Read added.
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