Regent Automotive Group will open a new Volvo dealership in Watford following a £500,000 investment.

Based at Greenhill Crescent, near Croxley Green Business Park, the site is located on the premises of the former Anthony Betts dealership.

The new showroom has room for a nine car display with touch-screen car configurator, customer lounge and children’s play area.

On the forecourt there is room for 35 used cars and to the rear of the building an eight-bay workshop dedicated to Volvo servicing and MoTs.

There is also a dedicated Volvo trade parts department and the new business will offer accessory sales, new car Motability sales and a Volvo rental service.

The team for the new showroom is currently being recruited locally as well as being transferred across from Regent’s other businesses in order to ensure a smooth launch, planned for September 12.

Tracey Perry, Regent Automotive group managing director, said: “We enjoyed an incredibly successful year in 2010, including the opening of a new dealership in Bishop’s Stortford, which enabled us to progress with further expansion this year.

“We’re proud to be opening new businesses, especially in the current economic climate and it is testament to the desirability of the Volvo brand and the dedication of our team that we’re able to do so. Their hard work and significant Volvo experience has helped us achieve our outstanding growth and I am confident the new business at Watford will be just as successful.”

Regent Automotive currently operates four dealerships in and around London – Volvo Cars North London in Colindale, Volvo Cars West London in Chiswick, Volvo Cars Central London on the Euston Road, Marylebone and Volvo Cars Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire as well as an International Sales division based out of Hatfield.