The Family owned car retailer JCT600 secured approval at a planning committee meeting (1 September 2016) to redevelop its Mercedes-Benz dealership in Pannal.
The proposal will see the site increased in size with a full refurbishment of the existing building.
The final approved design was agreed after a number of months working with the Harrogate Borough Council planning team to find an acceptable landscaping solution for the site which is close to the Grade II* listed viaduct and in the Crimple Valley Special Landscape Area.
The company, which acquired the dealership on Leeds Road in April 2015, plans to invest more than £1.7m to transform the existing outdated building and valeting bay into a modern, customer-centric showroom, incorporating the very latest Mercedes-Benz branding and digital integration. It will feature low cost and sustainable energy initiatives including a ‘smart’ wireless energy management system and LED lighting, in line with the company’s sustainability policy.
JCT600 has acquired a one acre site adjacent to the dealership enabling it to enlarge the facility which will include an eight car showroom for new vehicles with a dedicated handover lounge, plus capacity for 65 pre-owned vehicles externally. It will feature a full range of customer facilities such as an internet café, dedicated after sales lounge and a specially designed kids zone with iPads and game station.
Mark Taylor, property director of JCT600, said:
Mercedes-Benz enjoys one of the most prominent locations for motor retail in Harrogate, being next to the M&S Simply Food outlet and BP petrol station close to Pannal.
We did seriously consider relocating the business, but concluded that with the right vision and investment, it could be transformed to create a prestigious facility which would meet the growth aspirations of JCT600 and Mercedes-Benz. This development will not only improve the appearance of the site for years to come, but also protect the jobs of the 44-strong team who work there.
We’re also proud that the refurbished facility will be as environmentally-friendly as possible, in line with our ongoing sustainability roll-out across our network of dealerships.
JCT600 is a family business with 50 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, the North East, the Humber, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
