The multi-million pound plan for a new car showroom employing up to 100 people is a completely private venture, a major figure in the project has told Business News.
Jacksons chief executive officer Paul Collier said: ‘Most importantly, we would like to stress this venture is 100 per cent private.’
He said the plan was first explored late last year, with substantial manufacturer negotiations and a detailed planning application seven months in the making.
Channel Islands based Jacksons are keen to scotch speculation on social media that the announcement was made days after Tynwald backed a £50m Enterprise Development Scheme, a government initiative to grow the Manx economy and create jobs.
Mr Collier said it was ‘purely coincidental’ that news of the Cooil Road, Douglas , plan was released days after the vote inTynwald.
News of the plan was broken by our sister paper the Courier last week and on ourwebsite IoM Today.
Mr Collier has now revealed more details of the breakdown of the new jobs he envisages being created.
More than 60 full time jobs will be created immediately with all being full time skilled and unskilled positions – 18 sales related, 12 vehicle technicians and 14 aftersales, four parts, eight valet and seven general and accounts.
‘With anticipated growth this will rise to 100, but that is of course dependent on trading conditions – however, based on the track record from a group that already employs over 220 in the Channel Islands, 30 in the Isle of Wight and 50 overseas you would expect their expertise and resource to deliver their vision.’
Mr Collier said that if the planning application is succesful, Jacksons are planning to bring their two brands – Jacksons (luxury cars) and Motor Mall (affordable motoring) – all at competitive prices.
The Jacksons boss is no stranger to the island having spent part of his childhood here and a period of employment in later years.
He is a big believer in the island as a place to do business and says he has been keen to open a Manx company and trade here for some time. ‘It has a great infrastructure and I was delighted when the Board of Jacksons agreed to come here,’ said Mr Collier.
He says the island has lost a number of car dealerships and brand associated servicing. TheDOI licensing division, he says, confirms that of every one new car sold in the island, 2.2 are bought from across.
‘This investment would help reduce that figure and keep more money on the island – and Jacksons will be operating as an Isle of Man registered company, subject to approval.’ Planners have been sent details from Eden Park Developments to develop a 10-acre site on Cooil Road, Douglas.
Several leading global manufacturers are said to have committed to the project including Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Skoda and Ssang Yong.
Mr Collier said: ‘Over 10 years ago, the new car market in the Channel Islands was in decline, much like it is in the Isle of Man now, with brands leaving the islands altogether and dealerships closing.
‘Jacksons not only turned that around, but now has a turnover of around £100m annually across the islands.
‘By introducing a number of car brands not currently represented in the Isle of Man, we would look to win back this business, keeping money local to benefit the community, as happened in the Channel Islands.’
James Greenhalgh, director of Eden Park Developments, said : ‘Any business that creates 100 new jobs has to be welcomed but it goes even deeper than that. Jacksons is a big name and could help attract other new business to our shores, something that is very much in keeping with our government’s Vision 20/20 with its focus on inward investment.
‘This landmark development for Jacksons would be sited on 10 acres of private land which is ready for immediate development if planning persmission is granted.
‘At the same time this would enable us to offer majo0r infrastructure benefits to the Cooil Road area with no cost to government.
‘We plan to improve the road and access including building a new roundabout which could ultimately provide access to government land and improve the area’s drainage system by taking pressure off Douglas and and in turn saving millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.’