EAST Anglian motor dealership group John Grose has acquired the business assets of former MG Rover franchisee R C Edmondson Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

EAST Anglian motor dealership group John Grose has acquired the business assets of former MG Rover franchisee R C Edmondson Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Edmondson went in to administration following the collapse of MG Rover last year, although it continued to provide after-sales services to customers at its sites in Melton Road, Woodbridge, and Goddard Road, Ipswich.

The sale of the business assets to John Grose has been negotiated by Steven Law, business recovery partner at Ensors Chartered Accountants, with the assistance of the Edmondson directors.

John Grose, best known for its Ford dealerships across East Anglia, effectively takes over the businesses at both Edmondson sites, providing continued employment for existing staff and continuity of service to customers.

Ian Twinley, chairman of the John Grose Group, said: “We are lighted to be able to continue to serve the loyal MG Rover owners of Suffolk. We will be happy to provide service and parts of MG Rover cars for many, many years to come.

“Consolidation in the motor industry is essential if manufacturers and dealers alike are going to reduce costs within the distribution system as well as continue to provide the high levels of customer satisfaction that the consumer demands.”

Mr Twinley added that the former Edmondson employees would also how have career opportunities across the range of franchises operated by John Grose.

In addition to the MG Rover after-sales business, John Grose also now adds Subaru and Isuzu franchises to its existing portfolio of dealerships, which include Ford, Kia, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Peugeot and Citroen.

Group director David Grose will take the lead role in integrating the new businesses into the group. Mr Grose, the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the business which was established by Joseph Grose in 1888, said his great-grandfather was known to have been selling Rover cars in 1904.

The John Grose Group employs more than 400 staff in East Anglia, and supports the jobs of many other workers in contractor roles.