$2m refit for Ireland Holden in Cairns

Work has started on the extensive refit at Ireland Holden in Mulgrave Rd with the project due to be completed by June next year. Dealer-principal Richard Ireland said the Holden and HSV revamp was the first since 1993 when the building was rebuilt after fire nearly destroyed the premises. 

He said the work coincided with an improvement in business. "Since about mid last year we've been noticing an upturn (since the global financial crisis in 2008)," Mr Ireland said.

"First it was just a couple of better months but now we are seeing a sustained improvement in sales, consumer and business sentiment. If the economy was still where it was this time last year, I'm not so sure I'd be excited about the spend. But with the sustained improvements in new and used retail sales, as well as fleet sales and workshop bookings, I think the timing is pretty good."

The work, by the Hartley Group and RC Harders, includes a new showroom, service reception, workshops, parts, used cars, administration, executive offices and a boardroom. It will feature the latest Holden corporate look, down to the floor coverings, paint colour, furniture, even the direction of the carpet pattern.

The Holden/HSV showroom will be enlarged to provide space for up to nine vehicles (up from four), including a specialist area for HSV. The service driveway roof will be raised and the drive increased to three lanes. There will be a larger customer lounge and hospitality area and a fleet customer work centre with work desks and internet.

The remodelling of customer conveniences will provide for a new disabled restroom and a lift to the administration floor. The workshops will undergo a general refit, a new ceiling and ventilation, paint and floor re-conditioning. The parts and used cars section will receive a full refit in Holden's corporate identity, internally and externally. "A new cyclone-proof data centre will be added as well as new executive offices and the boardroom," Mr Ireland said.