Type
Closure
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Yorkshire and the Humber;
Location of affected unit(s)
Yorkshire; Lincolnshire; Nottinghamshire; Lancashire
Sector
Retail
Wholesale And Retail Trade And Repair Of Motor Vehicles And Motorcycles
Sale Of Motor Vehicles
45.1 - Sale of motor vehicles

800 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
2 August 2007
Employment effect (start)
2 August 2007
Foreseen end date
3 August 2007

Description

Dixon Motors, a UK motor vehicle retailer, is to close more than half of its network of franchises with the loss of 800 jobs. The firm is based in Doncaster, and operates franchises across the North of England at which 1,400 are employed. The firm went into administration at the end of July 2007, and attributed this to the steep decline in sales that the company has experienced. Administrator BDO Stoy Hayward has sold 19 of Dixon's 46 franchises to Pendragon, the UK's largest car dealership owner. The deal saves the jobs of 600 of the 1,400 staff. However, 27 of the company's sites, including the head office in Doncaster, are to close with immediate effect.

Graham Newton, business restructuring partner at BDO Stoy Hayward, said: ‘Since our appointment, we have carried out a business review and held discussions with all of the car manufacturers to try to secure the future of all of the dealerships.’

‘The successful sale of 19 dealerships will protect the future of 600 jobs across the region.’

‘Regrettably, in the time available, we have been unable to conclude any sales of the remaining dealerships within the group and, as a result, have no alternative but to close 27 sites with immediate effect, resulting in 800 job losses.’


Sources

  • 2 August 2007: BBC Website

Citation

Eurofound (2007), Dixon Motors, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 65670, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/65670.