Within a month of his group going into administration, former MG Rover dealer council chairman Richard Cort has re-opened the Fiat dealership in Bury that he acquired in 1993.

After Richard Cort Motor Group failed, he vowed to return to the motor trade and quickly gained financial backing from a new bank. He bought stock and equipment from Begbies Traynor, the administrator, and Fiat Auto UK approved his rapid comeback.

All 20 employees at the dealership who believed they had lost their jobs are working again for Cort “They are relieved, and so is my accountant,” he says.

Cort says the dealership has held the Fiat franchise for 30 years and was the “jewel in the crown” of his previous group. He now trades as Cort Ltd.

“We had a successful March, registering 123 cars, and the outlet is one of the UK’s top five for Fiat new carsales,” he says.