RRG’s Skoda garage at ‘gateway’ to Bolton gets green light
Plans for a new Skoda dealership at the gateway to Bolton town centre have been given the green light.
At least 30 full-time jobs and five part-time jobs will be created by RRG Group’s new state of the art car showroom after the application was given the go-ahead by councillors at Bolton Council’s planning committee yesterday (Thursday, April 27).
The dealership will now be built at a prime location on the north side of town, where St Peter’s Way and Topp Way meet – a key gateway site into Bolton town centre.
It is the site where personal injury law firm Asons was originally planning to build a multi-million pound headquarters, but abandoned the scheme shortly after groundworks started.
The new development will create a car sales showroom, workshops for servicing, and mezzanine office space covering 917 square metres.
RRG already undertakes service and repairs for Skoda at its site on Bury New Road and the new site will add new and used car sales to their operations.
Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: “This is major private investment at a prominent gateway site, which will create at least 35 to 40 new jobs for local people.
“RRG has also said where possible they will look to use locally-sourced labour and suppliers to develop the site, and I am delighted that plans for a key gateway site have been given the go-ahead. Bolton is open for business.”
The RRG Group was formed in Bolton in 1967 when the business consisted of a workshop, in Radcliffe Road, with five mechanics and a petrol pump which sold 400 gallons of petrol per week.
The group now has centres across the North of England representing seven manufacturers: Skoda, Toyota, Lexus, Peugeot, Mazda, Nissan and Kia.
RRG managing director, Arran Bangham, added: “Having started our business in Bolton 50 years ago, we are excited to be able to expand in our home town. We have an excellent reputation with the manufacturer, with our Rochdale dealership being awarded Skoda Retailer of the Year for two consecutive years.
“We will operate our new centre to the same high standard, provide excellent customer service and work closely with the neighbouring businesses. We are delighted to be bringing job opportunities to the town and providing a stunning new development at this key location.”
Hindley Lawrence, property advisors to the motor trade, represented RRG on the acquisition of the land.
