3 Lookers' new Colchester Land Rover facility

Lookers has further strengthened its relationship with Land Rover with the opening of a new £7 million retail site in Colchester.

The new Lookers Land Rover site on Axial Way becomes the largest showroom to subscribe to Jaguar Land Rover's Arch Corporate identity yet house just one brand and includes space for nine new car models, a 60 used car display and as 15 repair and maintenance bays.

The retail site, which sees the dealership move from its address on Cowdray Avenue, also includes 35 dedicated customer parking bays and a further 110 parking bays to the rear of the site.

Lookers now operates six Arch Concept JLR sites across the UK, with two sites in Essex, two in Hertfordshire and two in London.

Colchester Land Rover head of business, Martin Shepherd, said: “We’re extremely excited about the new retail site as it encapsulates everything that is best about Land Rover, namely cutting edge design matched only by a customer experience that is second to none.

“It’s a really exciting time to be representing the brand with a number of headline grabbing models set to make their debut in the dealership. It’s the dealership that our loyal customers deserve and I’m sure they’re going to be amazed by the results.”

A drive-through service area where customers will be met by a member of the team, who will check in and park their vehicle is integral to the new Colchester Land Rover facility and the site also utilises CitNow eVHC technology to monitor the vehicle on arrival as well as film any work carried out.

The dealership is also future-proofed to accommodate new products scheduled up to 2020, with features making the facility ready for a new range of hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs).

Lookers’ management team at the new Colchester Land Rover sites includes head of business Martin Shepherd who has been with Lookers for 19 years, having headed up the former Colchester site for the past 11 years.

Mark Watts, sales manager, has been with Lookers for 13 years, including his current position for the past 11 years, while Jon Prowse, parts manager, has been with the team for more than 28 years. 

Service manager David Coomber only recently joined the team and brings a wealth of experience with him gained from brands including BMW and Honda.

Shepherd said: “Jaguar Land Rover has a clear vision for the brand and its range of high performance prestige cars, as well as every aspect of its luxury retail sites. The brand continues to play a key part in the wider Lookers business and we are proud to be able to take our relationship forward through this brand new dealership.”