New car showroom set to create 200 new jobs
AROUND 200 new jobs are set to be created in the Black Country when a car showroom opens its doors next year.
Car supermarket group The Trade Centre Wales is planning to open its first ever outlet in England early in 2017 in Wednesbury.
It will be located on the 12-acre site of a vacant car supermarket facility in Darlaston Road and will stock 1,200 used cars.
The new jobs will be across sales, administration and vehicle preparation roles.
The Trade Centre Wales will invest in upgrading the existing facility and there will be a rebrand in England, with a new consumer-facing name but this is yet to be disclosed.
The launch will be supported by a new marketing campaign across TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital campaigns.
The group, which is headquartered in Neath, has three existing retail sites at Neath, Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff and the new superstore in Wednesbury will act as both the retail operation and cen- tral preparation stores.
Chief executive Andy Coulthurst said: “This is an exciting step for The Trade Centre Wales as we expand our geographical footprint into England for the first time.
“The premises in the West Midlands need total reconfiguration to suit our concept and customer-centric process as we invest heavily in creating facilities that optimise the customer experience.
“The business will be rolling out an intensive and proactive recruitment drive over the next few months to make sure that we recruit and train a skilled workforce. We are confident that our first store in the West Midlands will be well received by value-driven car shoppers and we look forward to the journey of establishing the brand as a household name in the region, as we have done so successfully in Wales.”
Established in 1999, The Trade Centre Wales is privately owned by chairman Mark Bailey, with a turnover forecast at more than £100 million in 2016.
Coun Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, added: “This is great news and I’m delighted to welcome Trade Centre Wales to Wednesbury.
“It’s fantastic to hear about the 200 jobs that will be created.” facility for additional