Pendragon is preparing to close several of its Evans Halshaw Vauxhall dealership locations as part of the PSA Group-owned brand’s plan to shrink its UK retail network.

Almost two years on from AM’s exclusive story of the PSA Group’s plans to cull more than 100 of Vauxhall’s 324 UK retail locations the AM100’s number three retail operator is beginning its preperations to close "several" dealerships.

Ardrossan, in North Ayreshire, is said to be one of a number of locations said to be earmarked for closure in the coming weeks, according to the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.

The Hartelpool Mail, meanwhile, has reported that consultation is underway with staff at Evans Halshaw’s Vauxhall dealership in Peterlee – winner of the firm’s Customer Excellence award in 2018.

A spokesman for Pendragon told AM that the group would not comment on the location of individual site closures while consultation with staff was ongoing.

A statement issued by the group said: “Following proposals by Vauxhall to revise its future distribution strategy, Pendragon has agreed to the closure of a small number of Evans Halshaw Vauxhall sites, predominantly in satellite locations.

“Pendragon has now entered a period of consultation with affected team members, and we will work with them to identify possible alternative roles across the Pendragon Group.”

Pendragon’s UK footprint has been shrinking since a decision to review its portfolio of premium car dealerships amid failing profitability, with previous chief executive Trevor Finn shifting the group’s focus onto the used car sector.

In September last year, however, the AM100’s former number one group by turnover revealed plans to close 22 of its Car Store used car supermarkets and one vehicle preparation centre after detailing a £32.2m underlying pre-tax loss in its H1 2019 financial results on September 18.

Those plans were revealed just a week after AM reported the allegations of a source who claimed that Pendragon’s plan to curb its ailing financial performance could result in 1,300 job losses. The group would not comment.