Member Article

Construction begins on new £2m ŠKODA dealership in Durham

Construction of a new £2m ŠKODA dealership has begun at Belmont in Durham, expected to be completed in February next year.

Newcastle-based Silverstone Building Consultancy are acting as Project Manager on the scheme on behalf of Pulman Group. The new build will replace the temporary ‘pop-up’ ŠKODA car showroom on Abbey Road which Silverstone designed last year.

The specialist firm of building surveyors and project managers has advised Pulman Group on a number of projects over the past two years. Silverstone submitted plans for the new design & build facility earlier this year and are now overseeing the delivery.

Surgo has been appointed as main contractor and the full design team comprises architects, Ian Belsham Associates, Portland Consulting Engineers and mechanical and electrical contractors, Sine Consulting.

The design includes a car showroom area which will have the capacity to accommodate nine display vehicles as well as a servicing workshop, external sales forecourt, cafe and catering kitchen.

Richard Farrey, director at Silverstone said “We are very pleased to have been instructed on our third project management instruction for Pulman Group. We have recently completed a £500,000 refurbishment of Pulman’s flagship Volkswagen car showroom on Abbey Road in Durham. Having gained valuable experience in the motor retail industry we hope these projects will lead to further instructions within this thriving sector.”

Pulman’s managing director, Mike Pulman said: “It’s great to see the structure of the new showroom starting to take shape and we are looking forward to launching the new ŠKODA retail concept having re-established ŠKODA in Durham from our ‘pop-up’ facility on Abbey Road. The new showroom will be state-of-the-art and offer our customers a fantastic experience.”

Pulman launched its first retailer in Durham in 1998 starting out with 17 employees, they now employ over 160 people which is set to increase to over 170 once the new ŠKODA retailer opens in early 2016, bringing their total number of showrooms to four.