Work has started on the construction of the new £6 million Pentland Land Rover dealership for the John Clark Motor Group.

The construction contract, valued at £2.9 million, has been awarded to Stewart Milne Construction.

The project will be managed by the Ashford Property Group.

The new dealership, on a 3.45-acre site alongside the M9 in the Newbridge area of Edinburgh, is due for completion by the end of the year, to coincide with Pentland taking over the Land Rover franchise for the whole of Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Designed by Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects, the 30,000 square foot dealership will feature a two-level 12-car showroom and a 14-bay workshop with the latest service facilities and technology. The design incorporates a dedicated business centre for customers. There will be an extensive 71-car used car display and customer parking on the site.

The new Pentland dealership is located next to the Newbridge Interchange on the M9 and the architects have made the most of this visibility. A fully-glazed 12-car showroom presents 180-degree visibility the motorway. The glazing has also been carefully designed to reduce the need for heat, light and cooling.

Because of its location on the flightpath to Edinburgh Airport, the height of the new building is restricted. As a result the architects have designed a lower ground floor, sunk into the site, with staff facilities and also two vehicle handover bays.

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Commenting on the new dealership, John Clark, Chairman and Managing Director of the John Clark Motor Group, said: “This is a very high-profile site, close to where three motorways converge, so we wanted to make sure that the new dealership makes a strong statement about Pentland Land Rover as the main dealer for the area.

“It is also a substantial site that can accommodate considerably expanded facilities that will enable Stuart Miller and his team at Pentland, to provide existing and new customers with a high level of customer service.”

Noel Staunton, regional director for Stewart Milne Construction, said: “In the current climate, it’s encouraging to see companies expanding their business operations and we’re looking forward to working with John Clark Motor Group on the development of its new Pentland Land Rover dealership in Edinburgh. The project will be a great addition to our commercial portfolio and we will be liaising closely with the client to ensure it is delivered successfully.”

Land Rover UK's Managing Director, Colin Green, commented: “The expansion and investment by John Clark Motor Group in the Pentland Land Rover franchise further demonstrates and reflects the strength of the significant growth of Land Rover brand, the relationship between Land Rover and Pentland within the Edinburgh and Lothian region and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, including the impending launch of the new Range Rover Evoque.”

From January 1, 2012, Pentland Land Rover will be the only Land Rover dealership for Edinburgh and Lothians. A satellite Land Rover Authorised Repairer will open in early 2012 to cover the eastern part of Edinburgh.

The opening of the new Pentland Land Rover dealership is expected to create 20 new jobs, with further opportunities being created as the business develops. Recruitment to fill the new posts will start shortly.

The new Pentland dealership brings the John Clark Motor Group’s investment in its dealership network to £14 million over the past five years.

The John Clark Motor Group is Scotland’s fourth largest motortrade group and within the top 30 in the UK. It has an annual turnover of £280 million, 680 employees and 16 motor trade business in Aberdeen, Dundee, Fife and Edinburgh.

(GK/KMcA)