HELSTON GARAGES SOLD

Helston Garages is under new ownership following the completion of its sale to Vertu Motors in a deal worth £182 million.

The deal will see 28 of Helston’s dealerships across the south west rebranded as Vertu Motors and Bristol Street Motors. Helston Garages’ other 12 sites were recently sold in a separate deal to Yeomans Group.

Helston Garages had been a family-run business for more than 60 years, building up a network of dealerships across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, operating under several brand names including Westerly, Carrs and Truscotts. It was previously owned by David Carr, before his death last February.

Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, said: “We are delighted that Vertu Motors has completed its acquisition of Helston and 28 sales outlets, further evidence of the execution of our long-term strategy.”

The UK’s largest production facility of ground source heat pumps has been opened the Cornwall.

The Kensa Group factory, located at Mount Wellington Mine near Truro, was officially opened by Sir Nigel Wilson, CEO of Legal & General, which earlier this year made an £8 million investment in the manufacturer, brining its total investment into the business over the past two years to £15.7 million.

The factory has the capacity to manufacture 30,000 ground source heat pumps every year - providing the