Ancaster Group is looking to increase its market share in the Croydon area after opening what is now the largest Hyundai showroom in the UK.

Ancaster Hyundai Croydon has relocated from a smaller facility in South Croydon to the 1,800 square metre fully-refurbished premises on Purley Way.

The business decision to move across Croydon was driven by the continued growth of Hyundai sales in the UK.

As a result of the larger site, the number of new and used cars that Ancaster can display has increased from 21 to a total of 79.

The large showroom can accommodate 29 new vehicles, while there is outdoor display space for 50 approved used cars.

The headcount at the site has risen by more than a third compared to the previous dealership, with new roles created to staff the larger facility, in anticipation of higher sales volumes.

The ground floor has office space for the sales manager, business manager, sales administrator and service manager, as well as a separate meeting room. There is also a dedicated welcome and waiting area for sales and aftersales customers.

Stephen Wood, Ancaster managing director, said: “The showroom alone is five times larger than our previous site, and the broader level of capacity and capability means we can proudly deliver a much-improved experience for everyone who visits us.

“The relocation is a major undertaking for Ancaster and highlights our continued belief in the strength and success of the Hyundai brand.”

The relocation has allowed Ancaster to bring its Hyundai workshop onto the same site as its sales function, providing an eight bay workshop with dedicated MoT bay and 30 spaces for aftersales parking.

Tony Whitehorn, president and chief executive of Hyundai Motor UK, said: “At a time when many brands are reining-in their growth plans, Hyundai and its franchised partners continue to forge ahead and invest heavily in local representation.

“We’re delighted to see Ancaster making such a substantial commitment to the brand in the South East, which we know will unlock significant opportunities with a wide range of customers interested in our range of vehicles.”

Ancaster represents six franchises - Nissan including GTR and Nissan Commercials, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Hyundai which operate across 13 dealerships at nine different locations with dealerships in Bromley, Catford, Croydon, Dartford, Penge, Shepperton, Slough and Welling.