Pictured above: (l-r) Martin Rumble, Pat Moroney, (Deeley Properties), Jordan Ryan (Deeley Construction)

Automotive group Martin Rumble is to open a new Vauxhall dealership on the site in late December after agreeing a £2million deal to buy and develop land in the park from the Deeley Group.

The group currently owns dealerships in Hinckley and Bedworth and this latest venture will aim to sell over 750 new vans and cars, as well as 750 used models each year.

Managing Director, Martin Rumble said: "Nuneaton is the biggest market for my area of business in the region.

"And research shows that customers like to have their dealerships in one place, so Eliot Park was an ideal choice given that the Deeley Group has created a number of dealerships here. 

"The complex is scheduled to be finished by mid-December and we should be operational by the end of the year. I am very much looking forward to the move and so are all the staff."

Rumble, who has been in the car trade for over 40 years, also revealed that once he began looking to invest in such a project, Nuneaton, and Eliot Park in particular was the logical choice.

But while this deal does represent growth for the company, Rumble concedes that the economic downturn has forced traders to alter their ambitions.

He said: "I think we are past the stage of great expansion. Ten years ago I might have told you I was looking to develop another five dealerships but in this economic climate it is all about establishing a well-organised, profitable future for both the brand and the company.

"By securing the right location I believe we have taken the first step in doing that." 

Pat Moroney, of Deeley Properties, said: "Not only have we worked with other dealership groups here at Eliot Park, but we have worked with automotive firms across the UK and that experience proved valuable.

"The transformation of Eliot Park is a real success story for Nuneaton and the region. There is a very wide range of businesses on the park both in terms of sector and size, and with this project and the construction of the Holland & Barrett headquarters, this is a very exciting time.

"Martin has been a pleasure to work with and has a negotiating style similar to our own, which helped. I wish him and his staff every success on the new site."

Deeley Construction is undertaking all building work on the project.