Shropshire Honda dealer gears up for new releases

The company has moved out of its home of the last nine years in Featherbed Lane – which is now being marketed to potential new occupiers – and moved into the former Mercedes dealership at 3 Battlefield Road.

It comes as Honda prepares to unleash a wave of new models in the next three years, and managing director John Hughes said the move would allow the company to embrace the expansion in the number of lines.

The move has seen JT Hughes invest around £1.2 million, and it has now also bought the right hand side of the ex-Mercedes site – vacated last year after the building of a new dealership in Vanguard Way – in readiness for further expansion.

The company has also brought in two more members of staff as a result of the move, and expects to recruit more as it grows.

"Honda have a lot of new products coming this year," Mr Hughes said.

"We didn't necessarily have to move out of our existing premises just yet, but it's about what's coming. A lot of exciting products are coming through between 2015 and 2017, and there's a big focus back onto the UK.

"As well as that, I have always wanted to be more prominent in the county town."

Mr Hughes added that the move into new premises would also allow it to deliver improved customer service at its string of dealerships, which includes other branches in Oswestry, Telford and Newtown. The company also represents Mitsubishi, Hyundai and Nissan.

The preparation for Honda's new lines – such as the new NSX, Civic and Jazz models – will also see JT Hughes look to invest in its other sites, to ready them for the boost in business.

It will also allow for a larger Honda display, a more visible showroom, better site access, and modern workshop facilities.

"We'll be able to offer improved customer parking, and we know how important that is in Shrewsbury," Mr Hughes added. "Our aim is always to understand the needs of the modern motorist, and deliver this through every channel we can."