Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Car dealership finally revs up
A £10 MILLION Dundee car dealership, which is creating more than 60 jobs, has finally opened with “bizarre” conditions after a 41-day delay.
Barnetts Lexus and Toyota showroom faced a delay in opening due to a safety certificate dispute with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Initially scheduled for December 1 2022, the opening of the dealership – the city’s only Toyota outlet after a long-standing partnership with Struans ended – was hindered by a disagreement over a fireproof ceiling.
Dundee City Council also withheld temporary occupation and used car licences until the matter was resolved, costing the Eastern Western Motor Group approximately £20,000 per day.
Managing director Keith Duncan revealed that council stipulations included removing doors from offices and taping up glass walls.
Despite these challenges, the dealership has received a temporary occupation certificate, allowing it to begin operations.
The delay significantly impacted Eastern Western Motor Group’s December profitability, according to Mr Duncan.
The company had to relocate cars and staff, with the associated costs wiping out a month’s worth of profit across all its locations in Scotland.
The showroom is situated at the former Levi’s factory site on Dunsinane Avenue.
Mr Duncan expressed frustration over the impact on the company’s finances, stating that the delay “has had a serious impact”.
He added that the completion of the Barnetts Toyota, Lexus Dundee and Car Deal Warehouse Dundee means they are all now open for business.
Mr Duncan initially praised “pragmatic Dundee City Council” after giving permission for the development, which was zoned as commercial land.
A Perth development at a former Arnold Clark dealership has also opened.
The Edinburgh-based company operates Barnetts Motor Group on Riverside Drive in Dundee and owns Fife Motor Village in Halbeath.
Dundee City Council has been approached for comment.