Warden Construction to build Bowker's Porsche dealership

The Bowker Motor Group has selected Preston-based Warden Construction to build its new 43,000 sq ft Porsche Centre.

The new building will contain a 35-car showroom and a 13-bay workshop, EV charging points and dedicated areas for customers to collect cars and speak with service advisors.

It will create more than 30 jobs and become the 40th Porsche Centre in the UK network.

Demolition at the Watery Lane site in Preston began in July and has now been completed. With the appointment of Warden, Bowker expects to open its doors at the new dealership in Spring 2019.

Bowker Motor Group chief executive, Paul Bowker, said: “We are looking forward to working with Warden Construction as the Porsche Centre Preston takes shape.

“Wherever possible, we prefer to work with Lancashire companies. Bowker Motor Group’s strategy to work with the world’s most prestigious automotive brands unlocks exciting opportunities for other local businesses too. That’s why we spoke to a selection highly-regarded Lancashire construction companies before we appointed Warden."

Paul added: "Warden faced some stiff competition to win the business. But there was a good fit with our respective project teams: not least with their experience; and, their passion to deliver a remarkable new building on a landmark site for Preston.”

Warden was founded in 1954 and specialises in construction, refurbishment, development and maintenance solutions across a whole range of sectors. The company recently built the AFC Fylde stadium complex at Mill Farm in Wesham.

Richard Kenworthy, managing director of Warden, added: “Warden is delighted to be working with Bowker Motor Group on such a prestigious retail development. It’s an area of Preston that many of us have driven past all our lives. That’s why we are proud to be part of a construction project which will transform the area.”

Porsche Cars GB Limited confirmed its decision to appoint Bowker Motor Group to operate its new Lancashire Centre in September 2017. It will become the tenth member of the Bowker Motor Group portfolio, which includes Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn and Preston; Bowker Ribble Valley in Osbaldeston; and Bowker Harley Davidson and Motorrad in Preston.

The designs for the new Porsche Centre Preston were prepared by Preston-based architects Cassidy and Ashton.