CAR dealership Wilson and Co is welcoming customers to its new Bolton showroom following a £1 million refurbishment.

Vauxhall Motors chairman and managing director Rory Harvey was on hand to officially open the Manchester Road building, which has taken six months to construct.

Floorspace at the new showroom has increased by 50 percent, allowing the dealership to show off a total of 14 new models to customers and there is space on the forecourt to display more than 100 used cars.

Wilson and Co's group marketing manager Rebecca Willis said: "When we took over the dealership in 2004 no major investment had been made to modernise it. "

So for the last six months staff have been working out of Portakabins and an adjacent showroom whilst work was underway to gut the main building and refit it.

Inside there is now a larger, more comfortable waiting area for customers, including a coffee machine and dedicated children's area complete with toys.

Staff benefit from new offices and furniture and rooms have been set aside to enable customers to discuss financial matters in private.

The opening party was attended by 150 guests, including customers and staff, and there has been a favourable reaction to the changes.

"On the whole it has been received very well," said Ms Willis. "Everyone is really impressed with it. It's a completely different experience from what we had before."

Wilson and Co has five dealerships at Bolton, Chorley, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Boston.