Holden Group acquires Bury St Edmunds car dealership

The former Cecil & Larter dealership in Bury St Edmunds has been acquired by Holden Group, a company with a history dating back to 1928 when current chairman Tim Holden's grandfather Ernest started as an apprentice.

Ernest progressed at the company until the Second World War when he borrowed some money from local farmers and bought the business, which became known as Holden's in 1943. 

Holden Group has a 95-year history (Image: Holden Group)

Tim's father Tony started work as a mechanic in 1960 and later took over the company, steering it towards being a franchised car operation as well as a local repair garage and truck specialist. 

Chairman Tim Holden, who joined the business as a sales executive in 2001, said: "With an emphasis on family values and delivering quality service, the business is an excellent fit for us.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the team and continuing to provide local customers with the same high-quality sales, servicing and aftercare that they currently enjoy." 

Chairman Tim Holden and managing director Martyn Webb (Image: Holden Group)

Holden Bury St Edmunds, which has Volvo Selekt status and offers approved used Volvo vehicle sales and aftersales, will also continue to be an authorised Seat and Cupra repair facility. 

All 35 colleagues at the site will transfer to Holden Group, taking its employee total to 220.

Holden Bury St Edmunds will also continue to be an authorised Seat and Cupra repair facility (Image: Holden Group)

Holden Group now has three Volvo dealerships in the region, including Holden Volvo in Norwich and Hylton Gott Volvo in King's Lynn, as well as four dealerships in Norwich representing Kia, Renault, Dacia, Honda and MG. 

The company's Norwich dealerships have recently seen solar panels installed on the roofs as part of their commitment to sustainable energy use, with plans for the dealership in King's Lynn to have the same in the future.