Over the past two years, that growth has been mostly organic – the last franchised site added to the group’s portfolio was a £400,000 Seat dealership in Solihull, in June 2016.

The group has also been actively shedding debt and its gearing hit a low of 31.2% in 2016, down from a high point of 66.7% in 2007.

The group has also been actively shedding debt and its gearing hit a low of 31.2% in 2016, down from a high point of 66.7% in 2007.

New managing director Paul Goodwin is not keen to gamble with what appears to be an established recipe for success.

“I would do nothing to put the business and the staff we employ at risk,” said Goodwin, during AM’s visit to Arbury’s headquarters in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.