Desira Group expands with acquisition of Simpson Garage

Desira Group has acquired Simpson Garage Great Yarmouth for an undisclosed sum.

Established for over 63 years, family-owned Simpsons is well known in East Anglia for motor home sales, repairs and servicing, and it holds aftersales franchises for Skoda, Fiat and Fiat Professional.

In 2022 it took home a trophy in Skoda UK's retailer awards.

Desira directors Stuart Stone and Michelle Gant have now met with all the staff at Simpson Garage, which will not be changing its name.

“With the same family dealership values and ethos, which will continue, we believe this will be a great benefit to the customers and valued staff, so are extremely excited for the future,” they said.

Motorhomes is a new growth opportunity for Desira, and it said Simpson's used car sales and aftersales operations complement Desira's current Great Yarmouth dealership.

Desira Group has been in Great Yarmouth at its North Quay dealership for over 42 years. The group was established by chairman John Desira.

“With the new bridge now open next door the location means we can also serve customers on the south of Great Yarmouth whilst we also retain the new and used motorhome sales, used car sales and aftersales franchises for Skoda, Fiat and Fiat Professional. We are looking forward to meeting our new and existing customers,” a spokesperson said.

“The Desira directors have a great relationship with Belinda Crick and Andrew Aldis, the directors at Simpsons and we hugely appreciate all their hard work and support for ensuring we enjoy such a smooth handover.

“Belinda will continue working with us for some time and we wish Andrew every success in his retirement. Letitia Saunders, our previous general sales manager at Desira Nissan, Fiat and Citroen Great Yarmouth, will be moving to Simpsons to manage the dealership, with Bill Najam already taking over her position at Desira.“

Desira Group operates eight dealerships in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Diss and Bury St Edmunds employing 200 staff, and holding new car franchises with Nissan, Suzuki, Isuzu and LEVC and aftersales franchises with Fiat, Fiat Professional, Peugeot, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, MG, Abarth, and Citroen.