Clive Brook Volvo hoping to expand into second site in Bradford

Clive Brook Volvo is hoping to expand into a second site in Bradford following a “really” good restart following the COVID-19 lockdown period.

The Yorkshire-based retailer has applied for planning permission to create new workshops and a 30-car display area on land near to its existing Volvo Car UK franchised site on Canal Road.

The Bradford Telegraph and Argus newspaper reported that Brook had recently purchased the former furniture manufacturing site which is located just a few yards from a recently opened Costa coffee shop and Aldi supermarket.

Clive Brook, managing director of the two-site Volvo franchised operation with sites in Bradford and nearby Huddersfield, told the newspaper that the new site would help to “take pressure off the existing site” in the city.

Commenting on the business’ efforts to weather the effects of COVID-19, Brook said that sales had been “really good” in the last few months, adding: “People seem to want something different in their lives.”

Brook was eager to get the aftersales side of his business back up to speed when AM spoke to him back in April.

At the time, 43 of his business’ 65 staff were on furlough but he said he aimed to be 100% operational within two weeks.

Brook described the recovery process as being “financially more painful than being closed” but said that the alternative – waiting until the lockdown is fully lifted – would create its own issues.

He likened panning for the recovery from COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown to “starting a completely new business with your hands tied behind your back".