JCT600 takes over Gilder's VW dealership

THE ownership of one of the town’s most prominent car dealerships has changed hands as part of a £200 million acquisition.

ONE of the town’s most prominent car dealerships has changed hands as part of a £200 million acquisition.

A deal struck earlier this month saw Sheffield-based Gilder Group hand over the keys to its Volkswagen showroom on Bawtry Road, Wickersley, to Bradford-based JCT600.

The Gilder Group will retain its Honda dealerships, including that based at Dalton’s iconic Mushroom Garage, but agreed terms on the hand-over of a total on nine Audi and Volkswagen sales sites.

Garry Scotting, chief executive of The Gilder Group, confirmed: “The group will continue to have a presence in Sheffield as we have chosen to retain our three Gilder Honda sites. And, even though I am retiring from the business, I will retain shares in the group and support the Gilder Honda team to grow.”

The acquisition of The Gilder Group dealerships by JCT600 means that the expanding car sales operation now runs a total of 50 dealerships with a projected annual turnover of over £850 million

It also increases JCT600's workforce from 1,350 to over 1,800, with all jobs being retained.