12:51 pm, November 6, 2015
A FAMILY-RUN car dealership and garage will shut its doors after 80 years of trading, citing unsustainable losses as a major factor in the decision.
Crawley Down Group’s car sales and service centre, located in Snow Hill, Copthorne, will close due to spiralling costs and reduced margins, the company has stated.
According to the Crawley Observer, the firm stated: ‘After 80 years of serving the local community it’s with sadness to confirm that the car sales, service and parts operations of Crawley Down Group will be closing.
‘In recent years our operational costs have spiralled upwards and competitive prices have seen our margins shrink year after year, ultimately leading to unsustainable losses. We have tried to find a buyer for these parts of the business, however, the only interested parties required planning consent for two showrooms close to the service centre.
‘When it became clear that our planning application was going to be turned down we were left with no alternative but to consider the heart-breaking decision to close the departments.
‘Our other business, APH (Airport Parking and Hotels) continues to operate successfully, as will our 24-hour Shell garage at Snow Hill and accident repair centre in Crawley.
‘Although a sad time for such a large part of the business, for staff and the family owners alike, on behalf of all of us, we would like to say thank you for your custom and we have enjoyed our time serving all our customers. We hope to continue to do so through our remaining business activities.’
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