Second-largest UK dealership to close major site this summer with the loss of more than 100 jobs
THE UK’s second-largest car dealership will close a major site this summer with more than 100 jobs axed.
Sytner Group represents a range of big-name manufacturers across the nation, including BMW, Jaguar, Bugatti and Maserati.
It also operates a used car supermarket under the name CarShop which boasts scores of branches in major cities.
Now, it is understood that more than 100 jobs are poised to be axed with the impending closure of the Doncaster used car supermarket.
The South Yorkshire city’s CarShop will pull down the shutters on June 30 after 15 years of business, reports The Doncaster Free Press.
The publication says bosses told staff at the Doncaster branch of the forthcoming closure at a meeting this week.
The huge car supermarket, which first opened its doors in 2009, is being axed as owner Sytner switches focus following a strategic review of its business empire.
An insider told the outlet: “They looked at each store to decide if it was viable to run as a Sytner Select store, sell it to another party or close the store completely.
“Unfortunately for Doncaster they have decided to close.
“Sad to say over 100 staff members have lost their jobs. Big loss to the local area and a big unit that is going to be left empty.”
CarShop was bought by Sytner for more than £70million in 2017 and in 2021 it rolled out the brand across the globe.
With branches in major cities including Bristol, Nottingham and Wolverhamption and a website hosting over 3,000 listings CarShop is a major source of affordable second-hand motors for Brits.
The firm recently rebranded its Wakefield CarShop site as Sytner Select.
It comes after a report from Car Dealer Magazine revealed that CarShop is set to be heavily cut down, with part of it potentially spun off.
“At least one” site is set to be closed down while a “minority” of others could be sold.
Some stores are expected to be rebranded as superstores under the Sytner Select Approved Used banner.
The move comes amid significant changes in the sector, with major rival Cazoo teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and Peter Vardy winding up the Carz second-hand range.
Sytner is owned by the New York Stock Exchange-listed business Penske Automotive and the firm uses the CarShop brand in America, too.
A spokesperson for Sytner confirmed that it was going ahead with the plans following a “strategic review”.
They added: “The group is consulting with our CarShop team regarding the potential rebranding of the majority of our CarShop locations, to become Sytner Select Approved Used Cars superstores.
“In addition, we can confirm that we are also in advanced negotiations with an interested party to sell a minority of the CarShop locations as a going concern, as well as potentially closing one location.
“Our priority as always, will be to protect as many jobs as possible whilst ensuring that the long term future success of the business is secured.”
Elsewhere, another major dealership chain revealed that it would close 16 sites and cut hundreds of jobs after being taken over by a US firm.
The Sun has contacted Sytner for a comment.