Jobs at two Citroen dealerships, in Winchester and Wokingham, have been saved after the Freeborn Group stepped in to buy them.
Freeborn, with a large site in Southampton and a second in Godalming, are already one of the largest privately-owned Citroen franchises in the country.
With the collapse of the Wyatt Group, which went into administration on Wednesday, May 13th, Andrew Jones, Managing Director of Freeborn made an almost immediate offer to the administrators Begbies Traynor to buy its operations in Winchester and Wokingham to save 35 jobs and continue Citroen sales and service for owners in the two locations.
“We had already decided at Freeborn to concentrate on Citroen, a brand we have represented for nearly 30 years,” said Mr. Jones. “When these two dealerships got into difficulties it made sense to rescue them as they are a perfect fit for our business and bring experienced staff and loyal customers with them, both prime assets for any company.
“Freeborn has a strong base because we also manufacture motor homes, building the award-winning Romahomes using Citroen vans, and we design a variety of specialist conversions for many different makes of commercial vehicles that are built at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. We have a very active motor home retail dealership at Godalming in Surrey on a site where we also retail Citroen vehicles and we have the thriving Romahome Centre opposite St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton..
“While car sales are struggling for some brands, I know that Citroen as a marque are determined to provide high quality cars and vans, many with very low emissions, backed by first class dealer service and with the best possible value. That is why it appeals to us so much – it’s a perfect match with our own business ethos.
“As a group, we give great value deals and with the high volumes we achieve we make our business sustainable. Silly, cut throat deals kill not only the dealer but also the support customers need once they have purchased.
“We have been concentrating on extending our after sales facilities and when Solent Citroen in Portsmouth went into receivership at the end of last year we immediately introduced a dedicated care line for its customers and a special delivery and collection service, to ensure their needs were met.
“Wyatt Group customers in Winchester and Wokingham can be assured that the staff they have dealt with in the past will be there in the future to help them and that they now have the backing of a major group to ensure this continues.
“These new outlets for Freeborn will form an important part of our growth. Although there are a few signs of recovery in the car trade our other business activities are still performing very well and have allowed us to remain strong. Further good news is that our new car and van sales have been boosted by the Government’s initiative and Citroen boosted scrappage scheme, which is without doubt one of the best on offer.
“Freeborn Group has retail and business customers right across the UK, a sign of how attractive our deals can be, but also of how our back-up is second to none. I hope our new customers in Winchester and Wokingham will enjoy their new relationship with us.”
Telephone Numbers:
Freeborn Southampton (Head Office) - 023 80 331144
Freeborn Winchester Sales - 01962 840888
Freeborn Winchester Service & Parts - 01962 840889
Freeborn Wokingham - 01344 862828