Lancashire-based Bowker Motor Group (www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk) has appointed Preston-based Warden Construction Limited to build the new 43,000 square feet Porsche Centre in the city.
Demolition began on site at Watery Lane in July and has now been completed. Construction work is due to commence with the new Porsche Centre opening in Spring 2019.
Warden Construction Limited was founded in 1954 and specialises in construction, refurbishment, development and maintenance solutions across a whole range of sectors. The company recently built the AFC Fylde stadium complex at Mill Farm in Wesham.
Bowker Motor Group chief executive, Paul Bowker, said: “Congratulations to Warden Construction. We are looking forward to working with them as the Porsche Centre Preston takes shape.
“Wherever possible, we prefer to work with Lancashire companies. Bowker Motor Group’s strategy to work with the world’s most prestigious automotive brands unlocks exciting opportunities for other local businesses too. That’s why we spoke to a selection highly-regarded Lancashire construction companies before we appointed Warden.
“Warden faced some stiff competition to win the business. But there was a good fit with our respective project teams: not least with their experience; and, their passion to deliver a remarkable new building on a landmark site for Preston.”
The multi-million pound investment in the new Porsche Centre Preston will create over 30 jobs. Preston will be the 40th Porsche Centre in the UK network.
For Warden, managing director Richard Kenworthy said: “Everyone at Warden is delighted to be working with Bowker Motor Group on such a prestigious retail development. It’s an area of Preston that many of us have driven past all our lives. That’s why we are proud to be part of a construction project which will transform the area.”
The designs for the new Porsche Centre Preston were prepared by Preston-based architects Cassidy and Ashton.
The building design features a 35-car showroom and a 13-bay workshop. There are also two customer handover bays; two direct dialogue bays which enable service advisors to demonstrate scope of technical work from every perspective; and, also EV charging points.
Porsche Cars GB Limited confirmed its decision to appoint Bowker Motor Group to operate its new Lancashire Centre in September 2017.
Porsche Centre Preston will become the tenth member of the Bowker Motor Group portfolio, which includes Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn and Preston; Bowker Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston; and Bowker Harley Davidson and Motorrad in Preston.
