Vertu Motors closes BMW dealership in Dorchester
Vertu Motors has closed its BMW dealership in Dorchester, saying the business was no longer viable due to rising costs.
The dealership employed 12 people, some of whom will be transferred to Vertu’s BMW dealership in Yeovil.
A spokesperson for Vertu Motors Dorchester said: “We have taken this decision following an assessment of the financial viability of the operation and after discussions with the manufacturer.
“We concluded that the dealership was not viable due to increased costs. Several colleagues will transfer to our larger Vertu BMW Mini Yeovil dealership, whilst some, who we will offer our support to, have been put at risk of redundancy.
“Customers can be reassured they will receive excellent sales and aftersales service from our Yeovil dealership.”
The news comes just two months after it reported a 3.3% rise in like-for-like group revenues in the five months to July, with a five per cent rise in used car sales offsetting a 5.8% decrease in the sale of new cars.
Steve Bulley, president of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The closure of Vertu Dorchester removes another main car dealership from the town leaving customers with journeys to Yeovil or Poole. My hope is that we see many of the local independent garages pick up work keeping the spend in the Dorchester economy.”
