Batchelors Motor Group targets £36m turnover with new showrooms near York

A family-owned car dealership is set to create 20 jobs with the opening of two new York showrooms.

Ripon-based Batchelors Motor Group is preparing to launch a Mitsubishi dealership and service centre on York Business Park in Nether Poppleton, where it opened a Suzuki showroom at the end of last year.

The openings will take Batchelors’ portfolio to five showrooms and its workforce to almost 60 staff, as part of a plan to double turnover to £36m by 2020.

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has supported Batchelors’ expansion with a £550k loan, used to redevelop the units into car showrooms.

It follows earlier working capital support from Lloyds in 2016.

Batchelors Motor Group MD Tony Denton said: “York continues to prove an outstanding market for automotive sales, and its proximity to our long-standing home and head-office in Ripon makes it the ideal location for expansion.

“2019 has begun in great fashion, with three major contracts ensuring we’ve already hit our target of supplying 300 Suzuki fleet units this year. Since re-banking with Lloyds Bank in 2016, it has proven to be an instrumental partner in helping us to expand.”

He continued: “With its help, and through our commitment to customer care, we have every confidence that this latest investment will deliver a sustained contribution to our ambitious growth plan.”

Lloyds relationship director Lee Rycraft commented: “It’s fantastic to see the group creating more jobs and adding new sites to its portfolio.

“We’ve been at the side of Batchelors for three years, and our relationship has continued to grow, thanks to a positive and collaborative approach.”

He added: “Tony and his team strive to put the client first, which continues to help them deliver their business strategy.”

Batchelors Motor Group’s Mitsubishi showroom will open on February 18.