Benfield Motors has opened its first dealership in the north west and one of the first joint Renault/Nissan franchises in the country, in Carlisle.

The dealer group acquired the Rosehill dealership from Masons last year and as part of its growth in the region has invested “significantly” in the refurbishment of the existing Nissan dealership and will soon unveil plans for a new Renault showroom next door.

The acquisition brings the total number of Benfield outlets to 20.

David Robinson, with 28 years experience in the motor industry, will run the Carlisle site.

He said: “Nissan is already a well established marque in the area and with the help of a new Renault team and Benfield's relationship with both manufacturers, we are confident that Renault will be as popular.”

Renault, which has a 36.8% stake in Nissan, is restructuring the two brands' dealerships which will mean a 55% reduction in the Japanese firm's European dealer workforce.