A LEADING car dealership is moving into Bolton transforming a prominent gateway site into town.

Planning bosses can RRG Group the green light to build a Skoda dealership creating 30 full-time jobs and five part-time roles with number set to increase as the business develops. The dealership will now be built on the north side of town, where St Peters Way and Topp Way meet — described as a key gateway site into Bolton town centre.

The new development will create a car sales showroom, workshops for servicing, and mezzanine office space covering 917 square metres.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “This is major private investment at a prominent gateway site, which will create at least 35 to 40 new jobs for local people.

“RRG has also said where possible they will look to use locally-sourced labour and suppliers to develop the site, and I am delighted that plans for a key gateway site have been given the go-ahead. Bolton is open for business.”

The RRG Group was formed in Bolton in 1967 when the business consisted of a workshop, in Radcliffe Road, with five mechanics and a petrol pump which sold 400 gallons of petrol per week.

The group now has centres across the North of England representing seven manufacturers: Skoda, Toyota, Lexus, Peugeot, Mazda, Nissan and Kia.

RRG Managing Director, Arran Bangham, added: “Having started our business in Bolton 50 years ago, we are excited to be able to expand in our home town. We have an excellent reputation with the manufacturer, with our Rochdale dealership being awarded Skoda Retailer of the Year for two consecutive years.

“We will operate our new centre to the same high standard, provide excellent customer service and work closely with the neighbouring businesses. We are delighted to be bringing job opportunities to the town and providing a stunning new development at this key location.