2:24 pm, December 13, 2012
THE fate of Nidd Vale’s employees has become a little more secure, as Vertu buys one of its showrooms.
The business and ‘certain assets’ of the Nidd Vale Vauxhall dealer in Harrogate have been acquired by Vertu for a sum of £0.8 million – marking Vertu’s 12th Vauxhall dealer.
Vertu has entered a short term lease at the firm’s Leeds Road premises in Harrogate, and is planning to relocate the business to a new development in Knaresborough within the next 12 months – following Nidd Vale’s original plans.
Vertu obviously sees potential in the dealership – with accounts ending 30 June 2012 suggesting a turnover of £24.2 million (though this figure does include non-Vauxhall related income).
‘Following the acquisition of the Bradford Nissan and Renault dealerships in September, the Group is keen to develop the scale of its operations in Yorkshire,’ commented CEO of Vertu Motors, Robert Forrester.
‘Nidd Vale has in the past been a very strong Vauxhall dealer with a substantial customer base. This acquisition represents a great opportunity for the Group to develop its relationship with Vauxhall and to represent the Vauxhall brand in this area.
While this is good news for Harrogate-based employees, there’s still no news on the fate other dealerships within the group – including Mitsubishi, Seat and Peugeot franchises.
