Receivers were about to announce “substantial redundancies” at Renault dealer Herds of Basingstoke as AM went to press.

Despite restructuring and closing showrooms in Basingstoke and Hounslow last year, the company’s remaining dealerships in Isleworth and Weybridge have continued to suffer trading difficulties. It employs about 50 people, including those at its Basingstoke headquarters.

Joint receiver Nigel Ruddock, of Grant Thornton, says the business is “simply not viable in the current trading environment.” He adds: “We need to take immediate decisions to reduce the cost base of the business, which regrettably will need to include immediate substantial redundancies across the sites.”