Two major car dealerships will close in DAYS… as bosses blame ‘changing marketplace’
TWO popular car dealerships are set to close down in just days as bosses cite a ‘changing marketplace’ as a key factor.
The move comes as the showroom’s franchise owners cut ties with a big-name manufacturer.
The pair of specialists Seat dealership in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have become victims of the end of a contract between the Spanish brand and the Agnew Group.
They will close their doors for the final time on September 30 after the decision was announced last month.
Agnew execs put their fate down to the need to “adapt to a changing marketplace”.
Workers were told about the plan to close the branches before it was announced publicly, The Belfast Telegraph reports.
It is understood that there will not be any compulsory redundancies.
However, all 46 employees will be eligible for voluntary redundancy.
An Agnew Group spokesperson said: “The Seat franchise in the longer term will no longer form part of the strategic Agnew Group portfolio and growth strategy.
“The Agnew Group business model has adapted to a changing market while continuing to grow and they are still looking at opportunities with additional franchises in the future.
“As part of this process, the Agnew Group board endeavours to redeploy all affected staff to other roles within the Agnew Group.”
Agnew is itself owned by the Sytner Group, which owns over 140 dealerships across the UK.
The firm will still represent Volvo, BMW, Mini, Porsche and Audi in Northern Ireland.
Likewise, Seat will continue to be represented by other retail companies, including SERE Motors, Donnelly Group and Roadside Motors.
Seat has been contacted for comment.
It comes after a major petrol station chain with over 1,000 garages closed down one of its franchises.
Meanwhile, a big-name manufacturer may be bringing back a popular model three years after it was discontinued.