AM100 car dealer group Ridgeway has chosen Milton Gate as the location for its South Oxford flagship Volkswagen showroom and dealership.

Acquiring 2.05 acres from MEPC, this motor retail group will build a 14 car showroom with a 16 bay workshop offering state-of-the-art servicing facilities.

John O'Hanlon, Ridgeway chief executive (pictured left with Ridgeway chairman David Newman, centre), said: "We understand the customer's high expectations for our dealerships. From the moment a customer walks into a Ridgeway showroom they become part of the Ridgeway family. As part of our vision to be regarded as the best automotive retail group in the UK, we need the best possible facilities in the best possible locations.

"Milton Gate is perfect for our requirements, both in terms of the immediate neighbourhood and the obvious connections to further afield. The Milton Park Local Development Order which simplified getting planning was the icing on the cake.

"Having the second largest business and science park in Europe next door to our newest dealership will certainly help our plans to further increase penetration of the Volkswagen brand in Oxfordshire."

Just off the A34 at the Milton Interchange, and at the gateway to Milton Park, the Milton Gate site is in a highly visible location.

Philip Campbell (right), head of leasing and development at Milton Park, said: "Our original ambition for Milton Gate was to attract further office and laboratory users but the reality is that those companies want to be in the heart of the Milton Park business community where there is plenty of room for growth.

"When we put in place the Milton Park Local Development Order last year the council agreed to extend the range of uses permitted on the site to include a hotel and car showrooms which are ideally suited to this high profile location.

"We are delighted to welcome Ridgeway Volkswagen as the first Milton Gate occupier and look forward to announcing others in the very near future."