Car retailer chooses Nottingham for largest-ever investment

Sytner has opened its new CarShop on Enterprise Way in Nottingham, creating 75 jobs.

As CarShop’s largest ever retail investment, CarShop Nottingham will display over 900 used vehicles across its 7-acre site.

The 75 roles it has created range from mechanics and MOT technicians, to customer service advisors and weekend sales colleagues.

Sytner was set up in Nottingham in 1968. The story dates back to 1957, when Alan Sytner set up and owned the iconic Cavern Club in Liverpool before selling up two years later to pursue his love of exotic cars with his brother Frank. At the time, Frank was a British Touring Car Champion and winner of 24 career races. Together, they founded Sytner Group and bought BMW Nottingham to operate from before expanding to other areas of the UK. Then in 2002, Sytner Group was acquired by US-based Penske Automotive Group.

Many of CarShop’s senior executives also have a link with the city. CEO, Nigel Hurley, worked in Nottingham for nearly a decade in the 1990s, and CarShop’s commercial director, Greg Smith, has lived in Nottingham his whole life – born there, went to Nottingham Trent University, began his career at Sytner’s BMW Nottingham and has – for as long as he can remember – been a Nottingham Forest season ticket holder.

Hurley said: “Nottingham is where it all began for Sytner Group and that’s why I’m so thrilled that this will be our flagship store – both in terms of facilities and investment. I’m proud that we’ve been able to continue with our ambitious growth plans of opening CarShop Nottingham before the end of the year too, despite the hurdles that the pandemic has presented.

“The providing of job prospects and opportunities for young, local people, as well as investment and economic activity for the local area, is something of the utmost importance for us at CarShop and we’ll be announcing more about our plans here over the next few months.”

Lee Dowell, head of cusiness at CarShop Nottingham, added: “Nottingham is such a thriving city – in terms of business, culture and its young people – making it the perfect place for CarShop’s flagship store. The site will be home to the largest choice of used cars in the area and one of CarShop’s distinctive drive-in service centres, so – as well as adding to Nottingham’s retail offering – it will provide residents with a holistic, modern, and comfortable shopping experience. Extra care measures are also in place throughout the store, as we’re committed to providing the safest possible in-store shopping experience too.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close