Massive car site on way

A giant £15 million car supermarket is due to open in Stafford this autumn.Building is in the final stages at the new Arnold Clark Motorstore at Prime Point 14, near junction 14 of the M6.

The company is currently recruiting a range of staff and hopes to open the business in mid-October.

Work on the site started about a year ago. The development will create 180 jobs and will stock more than 1,000 cars.

Recruitment is now taking place for a variety of posts, including general managers, sales managers, sales executives, MoT technicians and an office trainee.

Arnold Clark Automobiles, which is Europe's largest privately owned motor dealer group, bought more than 10 acres of land for the development.

Birmingham property consultancy Colliers CRE said it was the largest deal of its kind for a car dealership in the West Midlands.

The 74,000sq ft Motorstore will include a showroom, outdoor display area, bodyshop, parts sales and valeting facility.

Stafford borough councillors approved the development, saying it would benefit the town by drawing in customers who would potentially also spend money in the town centre.

Members went against the advice of their planning officers by unanimously voting in favour of the scheme.

Scott Willis, from Arnold Clark, said: "The location and scale of this site will enable us to provide excellent choice and value for both the local and regional markets, with 30 minutes' drive time putting us within easy commuting distance of over four million potential customers.

"Unlike more conventional car supermarkets we will be able to provide a full range of both skilled and semi-skilled jobs for the local population, as well as offering a staggering mix of vehicles providing an unrivalled combination of choice, value and customer comfort.

"A facility of this size and quality will also provide a hub for our franchised dealerships in the area, creating increased flexibility, better customer service and convenient pick up and drop off points."