Prestigious BMW and MINI Retailer, Soper of Lincoln is expanding and hopes to win a larger share of the motoring market with the acquisition of a second showroom at Gateway Park, South Hykeham.
The deal was structured by Chartered Surveyor Banks Long & Co and it enables the company to relocate and grow the Soper Trade Centre, which specialises in the sale of Non BMW & MINI cars.
Soper already employs 97 people at its BMW/MINI dealership and the acquisition provides a superb opportunity to offer its services to a wider range of potential customers.
In a second innovative move, Soper is about to take delivery of state-of-the-art camera wheel alignment equipment, which will also boost its services to drivers.
Head of Business Andrew Tullie said: “For many years, we have been known as a main BMW and MINI dealership, offering a full range of those vehicles, along with aftersales and servicing.
“Now that we have expanded with Soper Trade Centre, when customers want to trade-in other makes of vehicle, we no longer need to look at moving them on to other dealerships, we can sell them ourselves – providing a better service for our existing clients and hopefully attracting more used car buyers.
“We are also offering MoT tests for different makes of vehicle and, from March, drivers will be able to benefit from our investment in superfast camera wheel alignment technology.
“We are really pleased to be able to offer this, after winning a special bid for a cash boost from our in-house Innovation Fund. Heads of Business from about 150 BMW centres across the UK were allowed to “pitch” for a sum of money in order to implement a new innovative idea,” said Mr Tullie.
“Having identified a new state of the art vehicle geometry facility, we went to BMW UK Headquarters in Bracknell and took part in a Dragon’s Den-style event, pitching for £50,000 towards our idea. Our Service Manager, Chris Appleby said it would be fantastic to win some money to invest in high-spec German equipment, which would drastically cut the time taken to do wheel alignments.
Mr Tullie was delighted when he returned to Lincoln having been awarded not £50,000, but £60,000 from the Innovation Fund!
The latest developments at Soper, mean that former Vehicle Preparation Manager Shane Turner has been promoted to Soper Trade Centre Manager along with a dedicated team of people ensuring our standards are maintained.
Banks Long & Co Director William Wall added: “We were confident of a swift disposal as such prominent modern motor showrooms are extremely scarce in Lincoln. Whilst other interest was generated, Soper was always a perfect fit and completed the purchase within a matter of weeks.
“The resurgence of the motor trade sector has seen a notable increase in enquiries from both multiple franchise holders and manufacturers direct, with a number remaining unsatisfied. The Lincoln business should therefore see a run of exciting developments over coming months.”
