Tough trading puts brakes on BCC’s profits
INDEPENDENT North West car dealership group BCC Motor Group saw profits slide in the year to January as the scrappage scheme – introduced to boost demand during the recession – came to an end.
BCC Motors – the trading name for Bolton Car Centre – operates nine dealerships in the region under franchise for Citroen, Suzuki and Hyundai.
It is owned by sole director Michael Holt.
In the year to the end of January sales rose marginally, from £53m to £53.9m, but profits tumbled from £713,226 to £120,433.
In his business review Mr Holt said: “Since the end of the government scrappage scheme in March 2010 the new car market continues to be challenging.
“As such we are following a prudent strategy during 2011 to consolidate our position as franchise car dealerships by continuing to strengthen our operations in the used car market and maintain control over general expenditure in line with market opportunities.”
BCC, which has sites in Wigan, Bury, Blackburn and Preston, saw its wage bill increase by £400,000 during the year in line with an increase in employee numbers from 145 to 160.
The accounts, recently filed at Companies House, reveal a dividend of just £40,000 was paid – compared with £1.2m last year.
