Donnelly Group reveals plans to bring Honda franchise and a Motorstore used car supermarket to Bangor after completing the acquisition of the town’s Shaws Citroen car dealership.

The family-owned Northern Ireland-based group has grown its presence in the region to nine retail sites with the addition of the Citroen franchise, which is located on the corner of the Green Road and the Bangor-Newtownards carriageway, Bangor.

Donnelly Group has also announced its plan to open a Honda franchise on the site from November 1 and introduce Donnelly Motorstore, offering access to more than 2,000 used vehicles to the North Down motoring public.

Dave Sheeran, managing director of Donnelly Group, said: “There are many synergies between Shaws and the Donnelly Group that made this an attractive acquisition for the Group.

“Both are family businesses with a long history of customer excellence and like the Donnelly Group, Shaws has a strong and loyal customer base who will continue to be served by the same dedicated team.”

All 19 Shaws’ employees will join the Donnelly Group and Michael Shaw will remain as general sales manager within the business.

Paul Compton, who has been with the Donnelly Group for over 10 years, will become site director.

Sheeran said: “I’d like to welcome the Bangor team to the Donnelly Group family which now encompasses more than 750 employees across nine locations in Northern Ireland and represents 18 manufacturers.”

Compton said: “Whilst we have showrooms across Northern Ireland we felt we needed a presence in Bangor, making it easier for our North Down customers to avail of our province-wide sales offering and after sales services.  

“Through the award-winning range of Honda and Citroen new vehicles plus our Motorstore of used cars and vans, we look forward to bringing the Donnelly Group way of doing business to the motorists of Bangor, North Down and the Ards Peninsula.”

Shaw added: “Shaws was established in 1926 and relocated to the current premises some 30 years ago. The team and I are delighted to be joining the Donnelly Group.

“The arrival of the Donnelly Group is fantastic news for motorists in the local area as we welcome the Honda franchise that will complement our Citroen range.

“The introduction of Donnelly Motorstore will ensure that we will now be the premier site in Bangor for new and used vehicles no matter your budget.

“I’d like to thank all our customers down the years and assure them that under Donnelly Group we will continue to offer the motoring public an exceptional sales and after sales service.

“I look forward to seeing all our customers soon at our newly branded showroom.”