Sunday, August 30, 2009
Arnold Clark to create 700 jobs
Scottish-based car retailer Arnold Clark is to create 700 jobs across the UK by early next year.
The firm said it would create 500 new sales jobs, as well as recruiting 120 modern apprentice places and 80 people for supporting roles.
The boost was partly down to the "stabilisation" of the car market because of the government's scrappage scheme, Arnold Clark said.
The chancellor said the announcement was "good news" for the car market.
Arnold Clark said there would be 155 new jobs in the Glasgow area, 25 in the Dundee area, 50 in the Aberdeen region and 130 in and around Edinburgh.
South of the border, 150 new posts will be created in the Manchester region, 20 in the Warrington area, 20 in and around Stafford, 80 in the Huddersfield area and 70 at an as-yet unnamed new site in the north of England.
Annual turnover
Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive of the company, said: "With the global economy going through such a difficult period, our announcement today can only be seen as a positive step in helping to combat unemployment.
"The extra 700 jobs can partly be attributed to the stabilising of the car industry since the introduction of the government's scrappage scheme in May."
Chancellor Alistair Darling said: "The UK car market is a vital part of our economy and that is why we introduced the car scrappage scheme at the Budget.
"The scheme is providing a vital boost to the UK car industry at a time when it needs it most"
The family-run Arnold Clark business has an annual turnover of more than £2bn.
Its ongoing expansion and future development plans include a new site in Huddersfield which is set to open its doors in October, and a fully redeveloped showroom in Preston.
DATED: 30.08.9
FEED: AW
