The motor trading subsidiary of the Ilkeston Co-operative Society, is to be re-branded as the 'Co-op Motor Group' from 1st June, 2001.

The division, Ilkeston Co-op Motor Group, which sells new and used cars, has experienced “exceptional” growth in recent years and now trades from 14 sites across the East Midlands, with a turnover in excess of £140m.

The name change follows concerns the name Ilkeston is misleading.

Although its original dealership and administrative offices remain in Ilkeston, the group now has dealerships across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, including prime sites in Grantham, Mansfield, Loughborough and Burton-on-Trent.

Major franchises include Peugeot, Nissan, Mazda, Seat, Hyundai, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Mitsubishi.