Williams Group has unveiled its plans for a £41 million multi-site car retail development in Manchester - featuring BMW, Mini, Jaguar and Land Rover showrooms.

The Manchester-based retail group is set to lead the automotive presence in the new Peel Land and Property’s evolving TraffordCity development with its plans for the new showrooms, which will create 20 jobs within the business.

Williams Group said in a statement that the high-profile location, which comprises of a 14.3-acre plot adjacent to the intu Trafford Centre and opposite EventCity, had been selected because it met its exacting requirements for a prominent site to accommodate its retail centre with landscaped parking and grounds, allowing it to set “new standards in vehicle retail and service for customers”.

Plans for the site include a three-storey glass fronted, 10-car BMW and Mini showroom and an ARCH concept JLR facility featuring an 18-car dual branded showroom with a drive-through service area.

Nick Cook, Williams Group managing director, said: “As a family-owned business, we are underlining our commitment to the region by relocating to this flagship 14-acre site where we will retail and service cars from the finest retail centres in the North West.

“One of the great advantages of TraffordCity will be ease of access for our customers wanting to enjoy the renowned Williams’ experience.

“They will also have access to the exceptional retail and leisure offering of intu Trafford Centre and its flagship stores including John Lewis which is adjacent to this site.”

The Williams Group dealerships will bring a new addition to the Barton Dock Road route into TraffordCity, which is also home to “the largest event space in the north of England”, EventCity, a new Holiday Inn Express and many family attractions, Williams Group said.

A new Metrolink tram station is also set to be located opposite the Williams’ development with the new line due to be completed in 2020.  

Williams Group plan to relocate its current showrooms from Upper Brook Street and Birchall Way in Manchester to TraffordCity and anticipate work starting in the early summer of 2018 with completion within one year. 

James Whittaker, Peel Land and Property Group Development Director, said: “We’re delighted that Williams has agreed to invest and build such a high standard showroom and servicing facility at TraffordCity.

“BMW, MINI, Jaguar and Land Rover are exactly the kind of aspirational brands we wanted to attract to activate this part of TraffordCity, which is going through some fundamental improvements including the development of the new Trafford Park Metrolink line.”

Williams BMW Motorcycles will remain at its location on Chester Road, Manchester, with Williams Select, the firm’s used car business retailing non-franchise brands, relocating from Upper Brook Street to the vacated site of Williams MINI Manchester on Chester Road.

Williams Group currently employs a total of 812 employees with 240 relocating to the TraffordCity site. A further 20 new jobs will be created by the move.