Family-owned, AM100 dealer group, Sandicliffe has acquired Farmers, a two site Skoda retailer in the East Midlands. The re-named Sandicliffe Skoda retailers will begin operating from this week.

One is based in Groby Road in Leicester and the second in Mansfield Road, Nottingham.

Alasdair Stewart, brand director for Skoda UK, said: "We are pleased to welcome the Sandicliffe franchise to our already impressive network of more than 130 authorised Skoda retailers. With the recent launch of the critically acclaimed all-new Octavia vRS, and a record-breaking first six months of sales for our retailers,  demand for our award-winning range is at an all-time high.  I'm sure that Sandicliffe will maintain the excellent Skoda renowned customer service."

Steve Averill, retailer principal at Sandicliffe Skoda Leicester, said: "My team and I are absolutely delighted to be joining forces with Sandicliffe.  We look forward to benefiting from their  extensive knowledge and experience, particularly within the fleet market.

Paul Farmer, who founded the Farmers business in 1994, is retiring on completion of the acquisition.

Stewart said: "We'd like to thank Paul and all the team at Farmers for over 19 years of exemplary service to the Skoda brand. I know that Paul will join me in wishing Sandicliffe Skoda continued success in the years ahead."