EXPANDING motor group Vertu welcomed the New Year by snapping up two more dealerships.

The Gateshead business, which trades mainly as Bristol Street and Macklin Motors across the UK, has acquired the entire share capital of Dobies (Carlisle) Limited.

The £4.3m deal includes a Vauxhall outlet in Carlisle and the business and certain assets of the SEAT outlet also operated by Dobies in the city.

It brings Vertu’s number of sales and aftersales outlets to 92 across the UK.

Robert Forrester, Vertu Motors chief executive, said: “This acquisition extends the Group's operations across the North of England and into Cumbria for the first time.

“These two outlets complement the Group's existing businesses in the North of England, and in particular its Vauxhall operations in Newcastle, Hexham and Durham which are adjacent to the acquired territory.  The additional SEAT outlet extends further the Group's relationship with the Volkswagen Group.”