AWARD-winning car dealership, Shelbourne Motors has appointed s local contractor to build its new £5 million Newry multi-franchise showroom.
Newry-based O’Hare & McGovern has started work on on the 50,000 sq ft facility, which is set to create 60 jobs when it opens next summer.
The new building, designed by Clarman Architects, is a significant investment by the family-owned vehicle retailer in the Newry area as it celebrates its 45th Anniversary. It will include new car showrooms, new car handover bays, a lounge-style waiting area with café and a drive-thru service centre with a 28-bay service workshop.
The dealership has also now confirmed it will become the dedicated retailer of new and used Renault vehicles in the Newry and Mourne area. The Renault deals follows a similar agreement with manufacturer Kia, announced earlier this year.
Financial director at Shelbourne Motors, Caroline Willis described the new facility as a "significant milestone" for the company.
"We are delighted to partner with one of Northern Ireland’s leading contractors to carry out the building works on our largest ever single investment.”
"It will create 60 new jobs for the Newry area, as well as offer an environment that’s modern and spacious with a host of technologically-advanced features that will provide local customers with an unrivalled sales and after-care experience," she said.
“Our long-term relationship with Renault made the manufacturer an obvious fit for this new development and it demonstrates their confidence in our business to incorporate a brand-new dealership into our Newry expansion.”
Martin Lennon, managing director of O’Hare & McGovern added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won the contract to build this new state-of-the-art showpiece facility. It strengthens our relationships with Shelbourne Motors which stretches back more than 40 years, and it is also a huge economic boost for the city, and the wider Newry area."
Shelbourne Motors was founded by the Ward family in 1973 and currently employs over 130 staff at its 9-acre Portadown headquarters, where it operates Toyota, Renault, Nissan and Dacia franchises, as well as a used car supermarket, rental division, accident repair centre and valet centre.
