Its sprawling 30-acre head office site in Belfast’s Boucher Road has been both instigator and test-bed for many of the processes, procedures and cultural fundamentals that now imbue Lookers, including the ‘customers for life’ philosophy.

Since it was acquired by Lookers in 1996, Charles Hurst has also been the proving ground for a succession of managers who would head the overall group: Fred Maguire, Ken Surgenor (now Charles Hurst chairman) and current chief executive Andy Bruce among them.

Lookers has changed chief executive twice  and made a string of acquisitions since AM last visited Charles Hurst.

Lookers has changed chief executive twice  and made a string of acquisitions since AM last visited Charles Hurst.

Lookers has changed chief executive twice  and made a string of acquisitions since AM last visited Charles Hurst.