Lookers has continued to invest in its Volkswagen car dealerships with an investment of £2.1 million to transform its Preston franchised site into a “showcase location” for the German brand.

The redevelopment of the AM100 PLC’s facility, located near Deepdale Retail Park, on Blackpool Road, Preston, is the latest major investment by Lookers, following the announcement of plans for a £3m transformation at its Volkswagen dealership in Teesside.

As well as an upgraded and spacious 10-car showroom, the upgraded site – set to its doors to customers in June – will also incorporate 15 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points for customer use, along with a further three in the upgraded, 10-ramp workshop.

It will also be home to a smart repair centre.

Outside 160 new and used cars will be displayed in an enhanced outdoor display area.

Lookers Volkswagen’s growing fleet division will also be incorporated within its new Preston home.

Lookers Volkswagen franchise director, John Cuthbertson, said: “We’re really excited for our customers and staff with the big changes coming at Lookers Volkswagen Preston as we continue to focus on the things that matter most to us – delivering service excellence for all customers, investing in jobs and in our local community and moving steadily towards a more sustainable future for everyone.

“Our customers have been at the heart of this transformation and our promise to deliver a new, showcase location where they can enjoy this best-selling UK brand.”

Duncan McPhee, Lookers’ chief operations officer, said: “This investment is great news for Lookers and for our customers in Preston and the wider area. The major refurbishment reflects our commitment to investing and to confirming our position as the UK and Ireland’s leading, future-focused automotive retailers.”

Earlier this month Lookers chief executive Mark Raban was named Business Leader of the Year at the AM Awards 2022 as the group also claimed the event’s Online Consumer Experience of the Year award, with its Lookers Vehicle Solutions - Fleet Financial operation named Leasing Operation of the Year.

Last month Lookers posted a pre-tax profit of £90.1m after navigating challenging new car supplies and trading on strong used car margins to deliver record 2021 annual financial results.

Lookers chief executive Mark Raban recently spoke to AM for an in-depth car retail group profile feature in AM.