11:40am Tuesday 30th December 2008
By Ryan McCarthy
The economic downturn has cost a Braintree car dealership five jobs.
But more than 20 jobs have been saved at Westdrive Automotive Group based at Galleys Corner, Braintree.
Administrators were appointed to Westdrive Automotive Group Limited on December 10 casting doubts over the future of the car dealers.
Jason Westwood, managing director, has bought the business from the administrators, Baker Tilly, in a deal which also secures Westdrive’s sponsorship of Braintree Town FC.
Mr Westwood told the Braintree and Witham Times last week the company will lose its other two sites in Romford and Edmonton, north London.
He said: “It was a difficult situation but we have been able to keep open and make sure we can look after customers we already have and hopefully attract new ones.
“We are here for the long term and are now better placed to deal with the challenging conditions which the motor industry will no doubt face in the coming 18 months.”
Mr Westwood said Westdrive has been in Braintree and surrounding areas for 14 years and customers’ warranties would be honoured.
He added: “We could easily have walked away but this is where we started and it was important to make sure we can continue that.
“We are still here, it was a process we had to go through to make sure we could hold on to what is a successful dealership.”
Westdrive has sponsored Braintree Town FC since the 2003/2004 season.
In 2007 Westdrive unveiled a further three-year sponsorship deal with the club - a cash injection worth £41,000 - with the final payment due to be made before the start of next season.
Lee Harding, chairman of the Iron, said the company has been a “high profile and excellent” sponsor.
He said: “We are aware of the company going into administration.
“The way we have left it with Jason is we will have a chat with him in the new year.
“My understanding is that the dealership will continue and continue to support the club - I don’t think there’s a major issue.”
Mr Westwood said one or two loose ends need to be tied and his discussion with the club in the new year would be to reconfirm the sponsorship deal.
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