MULTI-franchise dealer group F J Chalke is just weeks away from opening a new eco-friendly Kia and Nissan showroom in Yeovil, Somerset.
The site will generate electricity via solar panels and also collect rain water to be used on-site, while also offering electric vehicle drivers a place to charge up.
The family-run business began in 1929, first opening its doors in Mere, Wiltshire. Now with sites also in Yeovil, Wincanton and Gillingham, the company has put a focus on reducing its environmental impact and minimising its carbon footprint.
The new site at Fusion Park, West Hendford, is the most advanced yet, and benefits from 10 charging points to keep electric vehicle drivers on the road.
The high-efficiency solar panels installed on the building’s roof will provide approximately 32,000 kWh of electricity and reduce the showroom’s carbon emissions by around 16,700kg annually.
A rainwater harvesting system will collect rain from the roof, too. This will then be filtered before entering a storage tank.
Steve Fowler, director at F J Chalke, said: ‘We’re really excited about the new showroom and can’t wait for its anticipated opening in November. We’ve been overwhelmed with the response from the local community and the number of job applications has far outweighed our expectations.
‘This has been a really exciting project for us, from the investment in the area to taking care of our carbon footprint.’
Inside, the new showroom will have space for up to 20 vehicles with up to 150 vehicles on the external forecourt, plus parking for more than 200 cars. A fully-equipped workshop with eight ramps and a fully-approved MOT facility and valeting bay is also being installed.
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