Balmer boosts Honda business

Balmer Lane Garages has completed phase two of its expansion programme on the South Coast, by strengthening its Honda offering to three sites with the multi-million pound acquisition of Salisbury Honda from August Motors.

Now the £15m turnover group is looking for further opportunities. "We don’t have any targets at this stage," says chairman Louise Powner. "If anything in the Dorset, Hampshire or Surrey area became available we would definitely be interested. Our bank is very supportive of our ambitions."

She expects turnover next year to reach £25m.

Phase one was the opening of a Honda franchise in Dibden Purlieu near Southampton in September, complete with £50,000 worth of 2006 Honda corporate identity.