New-style showroom opens up its doors to more than 100 jobs

Ambitious plans for dealership, which will also feature Oor Wullie statue

Scores of new jobs have been created at a new £7 million Peter Vardy car dealership opening in Dundee today.

The Dundee CarStore on Dunsinane Industrial Estate occupies a 70,000sq ft showroom and is one of the largest dealerships in Scotland.

The new development has created more than 100 jobs in sales, vehicle repair, maintenance and support services.

Peter Vardy, chief executive of the group, said: “The CarStore Dundee builds on the success of our Hillington venue and is designed to be a destination dealership.

“When the doors open, I look forward to welcoming the people of Tayside to a new way and, I think, the best way, to buy their next car.”

The development has been built on site of the former Valentine’s Card Factory, which has lain vacant for more than 20 years.

Councillors approved plans for the car superstore in April last year despite it going against the local business plan.

Peter Vardy opened its first car supermarket in Glasgow in 2014 and it sold more than 3,500 vehicles in its first year, rising to 4,000 in the 12 months after that.

The company has said it does not expect such returns immediately in Dundee, with the first year likely to be about “establishing” the dealership.

As well as the dealership, the premises also boasts its own cafe and an Oor Wullie statue from last year’s highly successful Bucket Trail event.

The Peter Vardy Group bought the Oor Ink statue for £6,500 at last year’s auction in aid of The Archie Foundation.

The auction of 80 Oor Wullie Statues raised nearly £900,000 for the charity last year.

Peter Vardy Limited was officially launched in Scotland in June 2006 when the firm acquired the Perth Vauxhall franchise.

The group has since grown significantly and now runs Vauxhall dealerships in Aberdeen, Perth, Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh, Motherwell and Dalgety Bay as well as operating five prestige marque showrooms.

I look forward to welcoming people of Tayside to a new way and, I think, the best way to buy their new car. PETER VARDY

The new Peter Vardy CarStore, which is due to open on the Dunsinane Industrial Estate in Dundee today.