A CAR retailer in Teesside is to create a dealership and bodyshop as part of £700,000 expansion plans.

BMW and Mini dealer Preston Hall, in Stockton, will create about ten jobs when it converts its bodyshop into a Mini dealership.

The company, which is the UK's largest-selling used Mini dealer, will also build an off-site bodyshop. The company sells 650 new and used Minis a year.

The business was bought for £7.4m by European Motor Holdings from Arriva in February last year.

Work on the showroom and bodyshop will start this month.

European Motor Holdings also owns the Mill Garages franchise, which has dealerships in Stockton and Darlington.

Published: 09/11/2004