Jobs are lost at deVries

Jan 14 2009 by Kathryn Smith, Evening Gazette

JOBS have been cut at car dealership deVries, which went into administration earlier this week.

The Hull-based group has five sites, including a base at Stockton, which together employ 130 staff.

Administrators Grant Thornton Leeds said 33 redundancies had been made across the group - including eight from the 30-strong Teesside staff.

Jobs have also gone at Hull, York, Scarborough and Northallerton.

The sites sell both new and used cars.

Receivers are working with Honda to try to keep the dealerships open with a view to achieving sales as going concerns.

Keith Hinds of Grant Thornton UK, said: “We have had some initial requests for information about the company - but it is very early days.

“All the sites are continuing to operate and are open.”

Bernard Bradley, general manager Honda Cars, added: “This move was unavoidable due to major trading issues within the group which have been exacerbated by the current financial downturn. We will now be making every effort to contact and reassure customers in the vicinity of the dealerships who may be affected.”