The largest Bentley dealership in Europe is under construction on the north-east outskirts of the city of Leicester.

Michael Powles expects to sell in excess of 300 new and used cars a year from the 24-car showroom after it opens at the beginning of February.

The building was designed and constructed by a local firm with approval from Bentley.

A spokesman for the super luxury marque says: “We are absolutely delighted with both the design and the location on the main road out of the city to Nottingham.”

At this stage, Bentley says, it has no plans to roll the design out across its 21- strong UK dealer network.

The building is split into four sections: the main circular showroom for new and used Bentleys; the glass-walled space parallel to the A607 dual carriageway for prestige used cars; a purpose-built valeting centre and an eight-bay vehicle servicing workshop.

Michael Powles is relocating its existing franchise from Syston, Leicester but is not expecting a significant increase in the number of new cars it sells, despite the new Continental GT coupe-based saloon due out later this year. Growth is expected to come from increased sales of used cars.

The company has another Bentley dealership in Norwich.