4:03 pm, August 11, 2020
Wingrove Motor Company has completed a major refurbishment of its Silverlink dealership in Wallsend as it marks 95 years in business with a £750,000 investment programme.
The improvements include new waiting areas, as well as a new service reception plus furniture as well as putting in 10 charging points.
The family-run company has also added the Peugeot marque to the Silverlink portfolio, joining Citroen and DS at the showroom, which is in Kittiwake Close.
Managing director Josh Parker, who is the fifth generation of the family to be involved with the company, told how delighted he was with it, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
‘Our anniversary celebrations are rather lower key than we’d originally planned, but while this year has clearly been challenging for everyone, the business remains in good shape and we’re confident of continuing to grow in the years leading up to our 100th anniversary.
‘The enduring quality of our staff and the service they provide has always been the key to our success, and as well as having five generations of the family involved with the business, we also have local families that have been customers for just as long.
‘Our industry has gone through incredible change during our lifetime, and most especially over the last few years. We began to offer electric vehicles very soon after they became available, have over a dozen different electric/plug in hybrid vehicles on display and are ready to capitalise on further growth in this area of the market.
‘The Silverlink dealership refurbishment looks really impressive, and we’re excited by the potential that it and our recently refurbished West Road [Newcastle] site have to help us deliver on our growth plans.’
Some 150 apprentices have begun their careers with the Silverlink dealership so far, with several of them then taking up senior positions with the business.
It has also backed a wide range of community projects over the years, including supporting the set-up of the Jesmond Dene Parkrun and investing in the soon-to-be-refurbed Gallagher Park BMX track in Bedlington, in partnership with Barnesbury BMX Club.
April saw Wingrove help the NHS tackle the coronavirus pandemic by turning its Cramlington distribution centre over to the NHS to make PPE equipment, manufacturing up to 7,500 protective gowns every week, as reported by Car Dealer, and it’s a project that’s still ongoing.
‘Contributing to the well-being of our communities has long been part of our make-up and we’ve got lots of plans in place to do even more in the future,’ added Parker.
‘Supporting the NHS over the last few months has been a particular honour for us and we’re very pleased to have been able to make a contribution to its incredible work during the pandemic.’
The Cramlington distribution centre being used for PPE production
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