AN award-winning family-run car retailer has undergone a £1m makeover, transforming three of its dealerships in the region.

Vauxhall retailer Sherwoods, established in 1923, has completed an extensive refurbishment programme on its showrooms and service centres at Darlington, Stockton and Northallerton with a dynamic new look.

The renovation is part of a broader overhaul of the entire Vauxhall brand, to be rolled out across the country, creating more contemporary, customer friendly salerooms in line with the marque's corporate standards.

Flat screen television screens in the central showrooms showcase the advanced features and systems of the Vauxhall range, while stylish new lounges offer relaxing seating areas for customer use.

Refreshment areas are complemented by a free wi-fi computer connection hubs while new hi-tech lighting systems and stylish contemporary floor surfaces show off the Vauxhall range to its best advantage.

Sherwoods employs more than 200 staff and last year achieved a turnover of £55m. Managing director Alasdair MacConachie said: “We are really excited about the refurbishment work and have been very impressed with the finished results.

“Our new-look showrooms and service centres are a fantastic improvement which I hope our customers will love just as much as the cars and the service they receive from us.”

The renovation work has been supported by funding from The Royal Bank of Scotland and was completed for the new 15-plate registration launched this month.

RBS director of motor retail David Mitchell said: “Our team specialises in funding for the motor trade and I am exceptionally pleased that we have been able to support Sherwoods with their refurbishment plans.

“Sherwoods is an excellent organisation that is well established in the area and it is great to be able to work alongside such a reputable family business.”

The Darlington showroom, in Chesnut Street, was formally opened yesterday evening (Thursday, March 19), which saw the showroom transformed into a gallery showing historic and classic Vauxhall cars.

The images will remain on display until March 31.

Sherwoods was formed in 1923 in Grange Road, Darlington, and has been at its current site since 1979.

To find out more about its history, read Memories in Saturday’s The Northern Echo.