Digging in: From left, Donalds’ team of Graham Wemyss, Group Chairman Sam Hamblin, CEO Daniel Stone, Wendy Hawtin and Dan Le Cocq at their new Futura Park development
Donalds Group breaks ground on exciting double dealership plan
Bosses at high-flying Donalds Group went ‘digging for victory’ when they marked the start of construction on a development set to revolutionise car sales in East Anglia.
The company directors assembled on-site at Ipswich’s Futura Park to turn the first spade on what will soon be not one but two state-of-the-art automotive retail outlets. Group CEO Daniel Stone led them in the performing of the traditional ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony.
Once open, these will give locally-based Donalds a highly visible, twin-brand presence at the site, cementing the company’s status among the region’s leading players in the motor trade, and that of Futura Park as the hub for premium car dealerships in the Ipswich area.
The new dealerships will represent the Mazda and Volvo brands – just two among no fewer than seven franchises represented by Donalds across East Anglia.
The two new developments will create exciting employment opportunities throughout the local area for both the sales and aftersales departments, with recruitment to commence shortly before the build completion date in summer this year. Existing customers and interested guests will be warmly invited to Donalds’ opening party to officially launch the two showrooms – which promised to be an unforgettable day for customers and staff alike.
CEO Daniel Stone says: “Futura Park is a prestigious location, with high-profile outlets and we’re immensely excited to get started on this new chapter in Donalds’ history.
“Our cutting- edge facilities will deliver much more than just vehicle sales and maintenance – they will create a truly memorable retail experience, in luxurious surroundings. We hope to be seen as a comfortable and welcoming ‘second home’ for customers returning to use our aftersales facilities, or even just stopping by for a friendly fresh coffee.”
The new Mazda building has been designed with customer connection at the forefront, to create a modern, warm, boutique environment. A key area deriving from Mazda’s new retail concept will be the ‘Customer Interaction Zone’ – an area within the showroom where customers can sit down with Donalds staff and learn about products through technology. A large, spacious showroom floorspace will display the full range of Mazda cars, while maintaining a clutter-free environment. The stylish forecourt follows the showroom’s clean design, linking the inside and outside, whilst an extension to the workshop will increase the total number of service bays to seven.
Plans for the Volvo showroom will follow the brand’s Retail Experience concept, which reflects the company’s Scandinavian design philosophy. The Showroom area will follow a typically Nordic open-plan theme but, crucially, 40% of the available floor space will be set aside to become the Living Room – a luxurious oasis with wood and leather furnishings where customers can meet sales consultants, wait while their car is serviced, or simply relax with a fresh cup of coffee. Meanwhile the workshop, instead of being tucked away at the back of the site, out of view, will be clearly visible through large windows.
To obtain a VIP pass for the launch event or be kept informed of Donalds’ developments at Futura Park, please visit www.DonaldsFuturaPark.co.uk