Bodyshop James Alpe Ltd has completed work on its new reception, showroom and offices which will link together its different businesses.

Construction of the £500,000 building started 12 months ago at the site on Lincoln Way in Clitheroe and it had its official opening earlier this month.

James Alpe, managing director, said: “We purchased the adjacent buildings on the site and the distance between them was about 10 meters, so we decided to join everything together.”

Hodder Property Development, a company owned by Alpe, handled construction over the past year and the project was developed by people from within the James Alpe business.

Videos for customers

The new reception facilities feature a new waiting area for customers, a big screen TV and projector where customers can watch a video of a Mercedes-Benz being repaired by technicians.

It’s Alpe’s intention to introduce other videos for customers to watch on the projector in the waiting area.

The staircase that links to the offices on the second floor of the reception was sprayed with special flip paint which changes colour when you walk past it, much like the paint on a TVR Tuscan.

Links to other businesses

The new building also links to a 45,000 square foot 50 bay workshop area which holds authorised repairer status for Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Honda and Mitsubishi.

The new reception area will be a focal point to link Alpe’s other businesses which include vehicle conversions, contract hire and internal and external business signage and vehicle livery, as well as MoTs, servicing and repairs.

James Alpe’s clients include Lancashire police and ambulance, United Utilities and Mondial Assistance.