Guildford: Sportscar dealer opens new showroom with HSBC backing

Bell & Colvill, a specialist car dealership in West Horsley, has purchased and renovated a new showroom in Guildford after securing a £1.5 million funding package from HSBC UK.

The 15,000 sq ft showroom on the Slyfield Industrial Estate has enabled the company to increase its offering in Surrey, launch a new service and parts department and grow its new McLaren franchise facility. £500,000 of the funding from HSBC UK was also used to redevelop the new site, ready to open in Summer 2020 for the company’s 50^th anniversary.

Also specialising in Lotus, Morgan and Subaru brands, Bell & Colvill’s new development  provides continuous employment for the current staff with room for expansion and further recruitment as the business develops.

Brendan McWilliams, financial director at Bell & Colvill, said: “The Bell & Colvill story began 50 years ago in Surrey, so it’s fantastic to be able to continue to grow the brand and celebrate half a century in our home county. With help from HSBC UK, we have not only managed to increase capacity in our servicing and parts department but also increase our new McLaren franchise. Slyfield is a great hub for motoring and we feel very much at home here. We’re looking forward to welcoming both new and existing customers for many years to come.”

Nick Hicks, HSBC UK’s area director for Corporate Banking in Surrey & Sussex, said: “Bell & Colvill is a well-known name locally and in the wider motoring industry, so we were pleased to be able to help facilitate the expansion of the company in its 50^th year. As consumers continue to seek high quality customer service, the new showroom comes at an opportune time for Bell & Colvill to further enhance its reputation within the M3 corridor and as brand experts.”

Founded in 1970 by motoring enthusiasts Bobby Bell and Martin Colvill, the famed dealership is one of only 20 in the country that sells and services Morgan cars and has been a main dealer for Lotus since it was established.