Skoda named John Mulholland Motors Ltd as its Retailer of the Year for a third time as it celebrated the top performers in its UK car dealership network.

The Volkswagen Group brand delivered recognition across ten categories at the prestigious awards event held at The Royal Albert Hall, but it was the Northern Ireland dealership group which emerged victorious once again, having won the previous year and in 2014.

The County Antrim retailer was again awarded the title in recognition of its outstanding all-round business performance in 2017, gaining top spot among 128 Skoda retailers.

Fred Rees Garages (Haverfordwest) and Des Winks Skoda (Scarborough) were runners-up.

Staff at each UK retailer were presented with their awards by Rod McLeod, director for Skoda UK, and John French, head of sales operations.

French said: “The brand’s incredible performance last year is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in our retailer network.

“Customers recognise Skoda as a brand that offers great quality cars at outstanding value for money, delivered and serviced by a fantastic partner network.”

Alongside the show-stopping awards presentations, Skoda retailers were treated to a performance of Cirque Du Soleil’s OVO, the new tour which is sponsored by Skoda Global, at the awards event.

The full list of category winners from the 2018 Skoda Retailer of the Year awards were:

Retailer of the Year: 1st John Mulholland Motors (Randalstown)

2nd Fred Rees Garages (Haverfordwest)

3rd Des Winks Skoda (Scarborough)

Marketing: West End Garage (Edinburgh / Dunfermline/Stirling)

Customer Satisfaction: Howard Abraham (Lurgan)

People Excellence: DM Keith

Used Vehicle Sales: Lookers Skoda (Manchester)

SKODA Finance: Station Garage (Horsham)

Fleet Sales: Henrys (Glasgow)

Most Improved Retailer: Marshall Skoda (Croydon)

Service & Parts: Simpsons Skoda (Preston)

Sales: Mervyn Stewart (North Down)