Oxfordshire: Motor retail group Ridgeway does the double at MEPC’s Milton Gate

MEPC has announced a new Jaguar and Land Rover dealership for Oxfordshire.

It has sold the final parcel of land at its premier roadside destination, known as 5 Milton Gate, to local motor retail group Ridgeway, for the construction of a state-of-the-art Jaguar and Land Rover dealership. Ridgeway has secured planning permission for its new showroom through the Milton Park Local Development Order (LDO).

5 Milton Gate is the largest plot at 3.33 acres to have been sold at the roadside destination next to the A34 Milton Interchange and at the gateway to Milton Park, near Didcot. Ridgeway will construct a new Jaguar Land Rover retail concept which showcases both brands operating side-by-side from the same location serving customers across Oxfordshire and beyond.

The dual arch facility will include a three-lane drive-in service reception, 18-car showroom, 20-bay workshop and Barista coffee bar.

The deal marks the second site acquisition at Milton Gate for Ridgeway which opened its Volkswagen South Oxford Car and Van showroom and servicing facility at 1 Milton Gate in January of this year. Other neighbours include a Costa Coffee Drive Thru, Vauxhall Bellinger and Harvester pub and restaurant.

John O’Hanlon, Ridgeway chief executive, said: “This development represents another step in our growth strategy in Oxfordshire for the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Both brands have a fantastic range of products and some exciting developments planned. This brand new facility will enhance both the customer and our colleague’s experiences.

“As part of our vision to be regarded as the best automotive retail group in the UK, we need the best possible facilities in the best possible locations. Milton Gate, once again, is perfect for our requirements, both in terms of the immediate neighbourhood and the road network. Having the second-largest business and science park in Europe next door to us will certainly help our plans to further increase penetration of the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in Oxfordshire."

Philip Campbell, MEPC’s commercial director for Milton Park, said: “We are thrilled that Ridgeway has chosen Milton Gate for a further dealership, this time for the prestigious Jaguar Land Rover brand. It will be in good company with the other great brands already located there and we wish them every success.  Milton Gate is already serving the needs of people in nearby Didcot, the 7,500 people working at Milton Park and providing employment for the local area. We continue to focus on other developments within Milton Park as part of our ambitious growth strategy.”