Restructuring specialists running a major car dealership in East Dorset have taken the difficult decision to close a parts distribution and auto centre.
Staff at the Seward (Wessex) Ltd parts centre were informed by administrators in a meeting this morning (Thursday, March 1st).
Twelve people will be redeployed, with 26 redundancies, at Grange Road, Christchurch. It was stressed that the dealership at 20 Bailey Drive, Christchurch, three miles away, is not affected.
Greg Palfrey, the joint administrator from the South Coast office of accountancy group Smith & Williamson, said: “We had no choice because the Grange Road site in Christchurch was not economically viable.
“Even so, this was a very difficult decision because we are acutely aware of the impact the decision will have on 26 people. and we will be providing them with as much support and advice as possible. Fortunately we will be able to safeguard a further 12 jobs through redeployment.”
He added: “I would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of the staff in what is clearly a difficult situation, and I would also like to thank customers for their patience and understanding.”
The Grange Road site is used for the storage of spare parts and vehicles. Customers who have been using the service and MOT facilities there will be redirected to Seward (Wessex) Ltd’s operational dealerships at 20 Bailey Drive, Christchurch, and 400 Poole Road, Branksome, Poole.
Mr Palfrey, who heads up the restructuring and recovery services arm of Smith & Williamson in the regions, stressed that the dealership at 20 Bailey Drive, Christchurch, is running as normal and should not be confused in any way with the Grange Road site.
The Grange Road site, for which the freehold is privately owned, will be wound down over the next few weeks, he added.
Stephen Adshead and colleague Mr Palfrey were appointed joint administrators of Seward (Wessex) Ltd on February 21 to manage the company’s affairs, business and property.
As previously emphasised, both Vauxhall Motors and Chevrolet UK have agreed to allow vehicle sales and servicing to continue while buyers for one or more sections of the business are identified.
Seward (Wessex) Ltd will therefore continue to sell both new Vauxhall and Chevrolet cars and parts, to buy and sell used cars and perform workshop services. As with sales of vehicles by any other Vauxhall or Chevrolet dealer, the manufacturer will honour valid manufacturer warranties in the usual way.
Customers who have acquired vehicles through the UK-wide Motability Scheme, using their government-funded mobility allowances, are not affected by the administration of Seward (Wessex) Ltd, said Mr Palfrey.
The closure of the Grange Road site follows that of the Seward (Wessex) Ltd dealership in Blandford Forum last week. That site was “not economically viable” either, he confirmed.
