Hills Ford plans new showroom and workshop at former industrial site

MTCR Marketing is planning to establish a car showroom and workshop inside a former industrial building in Blackpole, Worcester.

Managing director Tim Hill and operations director Richard Hill of the failed AM100 retailer Brooklyn Motor Group bought Brooklyn's Ford outlets in Kidderminster and Malvern in 2009 through MTCR Marketing which today trades as Hills Ford. The dealership group also operates Hills Automotive in Mustow Green.

The group, ranked 64 in the AM100 at the time it went into receivership at the end of June 2009 after several years of losses. when its trading performance was affected by significant investments to meet franchise standards for Ford and Toyota.

The plans state: "As a successful growing business, the applicants have been searching for a suitable site in Worcester for over eight years as this is a logical step being directly between their existing businesses in Kidderminster and Malvern and due to the size of the site offering further opportunity for growth."

The application would see the most of the building, including the interior supports, remaining the same, with additional interior walls added to separate the showroom, workshop and storage areas.

However, an existing ancillary office would be demolished, making way for the main entrance to the building and a vehicle access point to move vehicles into the showroom.

The current loading area would become a parking area with space to accommodate vehicle transporters for deliveries and a large display parking area for vehicles.

The plans state: "It is estimated that the initial vehicles from the site to be around 450-600 vehicles, growing steadily year on year."

The business said the move would create more than two dozen new job once the dealership is completed, adding, "However, as the business grows, further employment will be generated at the site." The redevelopment of the site is estimated to cost around £750,000.