Car retailer to create 200 jobs in Nottingham
Up to 200 jobs could be created after one of the UK’s largest car supermarket businesses revealed it is moving into Nottingham with the opening of a new store and preparation facility.
Last week, TheBusinessDesk.com revealed that CarShop would bring an initial 60 jobs to Nottingham – now, that figured has dramatically increased.
The favoured location of the retail site, on the A453 into Nottingham, is one of the 42 Homebase store locations closing down across the UK, putting 1,500 jobs at risk. Once live, the new car supermarket store would display more than 700 vehicles, as well as offering vehicle servicing.
CarShop representative Nigel Mills said: “We’re keen to invest in Nottingham and position our new CarShop in a prime East Midlands location with good access, in a mature retail setting, to complement the other brands already trading there.
“We’ve already secured a further 10 acre site to be developed as a preparation facility, acting as a feeder for our new store and to assist with the growth of existing stores and future locations. When both locations are fully operational we hope to create up to 200 new jobs.”
A planning application has been submitted by JLL and is currently being considered by Nottingham City Council for a change of use.
Jonathan Dunkley, chief executive of CarShop, said: “We’re delighted to have commenced our plans to move into the East Midlands. It’s a very exciting opportunity, and it’s something the whole team has high expectations for. The vibrancy and popularity of the growing city and surrounds presents a great opportunity for us to bring our proposition to the market and offer car-buyers more choice and convenience when it comes to buying, selling and servicing their car.
“We have an ambitious five-year plan to allow us to better cater for customers’ car-buying needs right across the UK. Not only does this include the physical expansion of our store network, it involves significant investment into our digital proposition, ensuring we can deliver for our customers regardless as to whether they shop online, in-store or on the go.”
Lorraine Baggs head of investment at Invest in Nottingham said: “It’s great to hear that CarShop is looking to bring its new brand to Nottingham and create new employment opportunities.
“It is important that businesses adapt to the changing retail landscape and so to hear about the development of a new brand in the city is very welcome.”
Tamsin Cottle planning director at JLL hopes that the application will be welcomed by the Council. She said: “Given the challenging retail market, the occupation of such a prominent site should be seen as positive for the city and the proposed use has good synergy with uses in the surrounding area.”
