The Lookers group has opened the doors on its new £5.7m Wearside Audi showroom.
The new facility features a 13 new car showroom, a 55 used car display and a 15 ramp workshop. An unusual feature is the site’s roof-top car park with 99 spaces reserved for repair and servicing customers with further parking available on the ground level.
The launch event for the new showroom included fine food provided by Michelin star awarded restaurant – House of Tides. Guests were also treated to a display of classic Audis. These included a Le Mans Prototype Audi R18 e-tron quattro, the 1968 ‘Car of the Year’ NSU Ro 80 and the limited edition R8 GT Spyder.
The Wearside opening is part of a wider Lookers’ investment programme, which includes a new £17m Audi dealership in Dublin and a new £10m Volkswagen dealership in Battersea, London, and the development of its five-acre site in Glasgow, which will become home to brand new Jaguar and Volvo retail locations in Hillington Park.
Head of Business at Wearside Audi, Richard Hyde, commented: “Everyone had a great time at the launch event and now we can’t wait to establish the new site in the area and build on what Lookers and Audi have already achieved here in the North East.
“It’s a customer first, people friendly approach that has informed the design of this fantastic site. This is not one of those brand new shiny facilities devoid of personality. We’ve got relaxed seating areas which are designed to feel comfortable rather than be overly formal and break out areas for our customers to use their computers, relax and interact with our lovely people. We want everyone to fully experience the ambiance that only Lookers and a brand like Audi can provide.”
Peter Brookes, Head of Sales Operations at Audi UK, added: “This really is a fantastic facility and sets a benchmark for the rest of the industry. 2017 is a huge year for Audi, with a number of exciting models launched into the market, so it’s the perfect time to open a facility like this.”
Leave A Comment