Bates Motor Group, the £100m turnover Essex and London dealer, has opened a £4m BMW dealership in south Essex.

The 30,000 sq. ft. Bates of Harold Wood outlet, which includes a workshop, can accommodate 14 cars undercover and has room for 120 outside.

Bates chairman Edward Belcher, who has worked with BMW for more than 30 years, called the dealership an “important milestone” in his group's expansion plans.