Marriott Motor Group is preparing to open its renovated Volkswagen showroom next month on the site the 106-year-old Stowmarket family business was founded.

Barnards, the Stowmarket Volkswagen retailer, will be holding an event to mark the launch of its new-look digital showroom on June 4-5 (centre team pictured above).

Vehicles on display will include Volkswagen’s concept car the XL1.

The Station Road business is where Oliver Barnard first founded Marriott Motor Group, which employs nearly 500 people and has 12 retailer sites in East Anglia and Suffolk.

Barnard took the businesses first steps into the motor industry whilst selling Stowmarket’s first Model ‘T’ Fords in 1921 and by 1931 the company was selling Vauxhalls and Bedfords as well as building their own bus bodies.

As it was formerly known, O. G Barnard and Sons became authorised Volkswagen and Audi dealers in 1980.

Paul Barnard, great grandson of Oliver, is managing director of Marriott Motor Group.

He said: “Though much has changed over the years for the building one thing has remained the same; we run our firm and build our business on creating personal relationships with our customers.”

Trevor Pajak, brand manager at Barnards Stowmarket, said: “The new site will enable Barnards to fully meet the needs of our expanding business and continue to deliver our excellent service to valued local customers.

“I’d like to thank all of our customers for being patient while the work was carried out, and I hope they all feel the benefits in the near future.”

OG Barnard's dealership (left) in Stowmarket, now the site of Marriott Motor Group's centre

OG Barnard's dealership (left) in Stowmarket, now the site of Marriott Motor Group's centre