Chester T. Dean 
Bristol Street Motors Motornation has opened its latest dealership in Stockton-on-Tees following a £500,000 investment from Vertu Motors.
Around 150 used vehicles are on display at the former Evans Halshaw site at Preston Farm Industrial Estate and it includes a 10-ramp service centre, as well as a children’s area with a pool table, Xbox console and other activities.
The current Bristol Street Motors Motornation site was acquired in December 2021 and underwent a refurbishment before opening, including a redesign of upholstery, new signage and a service center for maintenance and repairs.
THe AM100 PLC Managing Director Robert Forrester said, “We are very pleased to open the doors to this fantastic dealership, following a significant redevelopment and investment.
“The changes the used car market has undergone over the past two years have allowed us to expand the Bristol Street Motors brand, but we have also diversified the Motornation site to offer maintenance and repair services. of vehicles.”
The location was previously a Reg Vardy Rover dealership before the chain was bought by Pendragon in 2005, part of its Evans Halshaw division, before closing a few years ago.
Prior to its sale to Evans Halshaw, Forrester was chief financial officer and then managing director of Reg Vardy, which operated the site for many years.
He added: “I remember when this place was the best used car location for Reg Vardy. It’s great to breathe new life into it and create new jobs in the area. I look forward to seeing him grow and flourish. »
Managing Director Kevin Parkinson, who recently worked for Bristol Street Motors at sites in Sheffield, is returning to the North East to oversee the dealership.
He said: “A lot of work has been done to prepare the site for opening. It was empty for quite a while, but with such a prominent position and a large vehicle display area, we thought it was the perfect location for a Motornation site.
“I am delighted to be back home and serving Teesside customers again. There’s something for everyone at Bristol Street Motors Motornation Stockton; vehicles adapted to all budgets, and affordable and quality maintenance.
“We understand and appreciate our customers. Much of the used car market is dedicated to families, so we’ve made sure they’re catered for with a kids’ area to keep the young ones busy, so their parents can focus on making the right purchase.
Vertu Motors capitalized on ‘industry tailwinds’ in car retailing to deliver a 41.9% increase in revenue and a 228% increase in adjusted pre-tax profits in a record set of results 2021 annual financials.
