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Newcastle’s Silverstone appointed on multiple Pulman Group projects

Durham’s Pulman Group has appointed Newcastle’s Silverstone Building Consultancy to project manage multiple building projects as part of an ongoing investment programme, which will see the development of a new £2 million ŠKODA retail concept and a major refurbishment of their existing Volkswagen showroom in Durham.

Silverstone has recently completed the refurbishment of an industrial unit on Abbey Road in Durham, which has been transformed into a ‘pop-up’ ŠKODA car showroom for the motor group, whilst plans are afoot to build a new state of the art dealership following their recent acquisition of the ŠKODA franchise.

Pulman are currently in the process of acquiring a greenfield site in Durham where they will build the new premises.

Silverstone will project manage the construction of the new £2 million showroom, which will have the capacity to accommodate nine display vehicles as well as workshop space and a fully serviced café which will be open to the general public.

Pulman launched its first retailer in Durham in 1998 starting out with 17 employees, they now employ over 160 people.

The new ŠKODA retailer brings their total number of showrooms to four and they plan to relocate the temporary dealership to the new site later next year.

Silverstone has also been appointed to project manage the refurbishment of Pulman’s existing Volkswagen car showroom, which is also located on Abbey Road.

The £400k project will give the 15 year old premises a major facelift in keeping with Volkswagen’s corporate image.

Director at Silverstone Building Consultancy, Richard Farrey, said: “Within a tight timeframe of just six weeks we managed to convert a former industrial unit into a quality temporary dealership to allow Pulman to start trading under their new ŠKODA franchise and establish a presence in Durham.

“To have been appointed on the new build project as well is fantastic news for Silverstone and we look forward to working closely with the Pulman team to help them meet their aspirations for the new dealership.”

Managing director at Pulman Group, Mike Pulman, said: “It’s a fantastic time for Pulman, having secured the full ŠKODA franchise in July.

“The development of the new retail site in Durham will deliver a fantastic customer experience in an exciting blended retail environment”.

“The redevelopment of our Volkswagen site in Durham will provide our customers with a fantastic revitalised blended retail facility, whilst of course keeping the distinctive Pulman experience that our customers expect, along with showcasing the complete Volkswagen model range.”

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