Hendy to open state-of-the-art Tunbridge Wells dealership

AM100 dealership group Hendy Group will officially open its all-new, state-of-the-art car dealership on Kingstanding Way in Tunbridge Wells in January.

The new dealership, located next to the Kingstanding Retail Park off the A21, will sell, as an authorised dealer, new and used Ford, Mazda and Kia cars and Ford commercial vehicles, as well as being an authorised repair centre, providing customers with comprehensive service, maintenance and repair support.

Hendy Group has invested more than £6 million in the disused brownfield location, which was formerly occupied by John Lewis and has been vacant since April 2021. The Kingstanding Way facility will become Hendy’s fourth dealership in Kent, and its 68th across the south of England.

The new dealership will have the capacity for eight display vehicles per brand inside, as well as accommodate separate service reception and waiting areas for each of the three main vehicle brands represented. Outside, Hendy will display over 60 used cars and commercial vehicles, and visiting customers will have access to 32 standard parking spaces, plus an additional 10 disabled-use bays.

The site will also include a dedicated Ford Transit Centre, Hendy’s first in Kent.

The site’s brand-new workshop will feature 15 service bays, catering to both cars and commercial vehicles, along with two dedicated MOT stations. With Hendy’s rapidly growing portfolio of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the site is designed to meet the needs of EV drivers, incorporating advanced infrastructure to embrace the future of mobility.

January’s site launch will coincide with the closure of the Hendy Mount Ephraim showroom, which has been acquired by a third-party for future development.

All existing Hendy staff at Mount Ephraim are being transferred, and the business is also looking to increase the total headcount at Kingstanding Way by recruiting for a wide range of roles, including apprentice technicians, apprentice sales and sales advisors.

Paul Hendy, CEO at Hendy Group, said: “This launch represents a huge vote of confidence by Hendy Group in the capabilities of our Kent-based team and in the strong commercial potential we see in the Tunbridge Wells area. While we are sad to leave Mount Ephraim, it’s been great to see the transformation of the nearby site on Kingstanding Way and we are excited to welcome thousands more customers who will be able to choose from a wider range of new and used vehicles and make the most of our new facilities.

“This latest opening underlines our long-term commitment to Kent, and we look forward to further building our presence as a leading employer in the local area through the creation of new opportunities.”

Hendy Group employs over 1,700 colleagues. In 2024, the group is ranked 18th in the AM Top 100, with a 2023 turnover of just over £1bn, representing 22 automotive brands across the south Coast.