Halliday’s of Bushmills celebrates 55-years in business this month and is announcing plans to double the size of its automotive business in the next five years increasing its turnover from £13m a year to £26m in a move that could create up to a total of 70 jobs in the Causeway Coast area.

The family run car dealership which celebrates its 55^th year in September is in an expansion phase which could see the acquisition of new franchises in addition to its well-established Citroen, Peugeot and Isuzu brands. Early talks are underway with a number of manufacturers.

In addition to its existing car and commercial vehicle sales, export and aftercare services, the business is now moving into the vehicle rental market in cars, commercial and pickup trucks. Its senior management team is being increased in line with this strategy and a new recruitment drive is underway.  

Lexy Halliday, Managing Director at Halliday’s of Bushmills said: “We have ambitious plans for the dealership and are looking at a range of options on how we can best achieve this while ensuring consistency of service to our clients and staff. They are incredibly loyal to us. We value them and want to reciprocate that too.

“We are expanding. Halliday’s has been a ‘clicks and mortar’ business since 2015 where we’ve seen an exponential growth in customers ordering from us online. We’ve delivered vehicles from John O’Groats to Truro in Cornwall and everywhere in between.

“The move to fully electric and hybrid vehicles is the next big intervention and like everyone else in this business we must adapt and respond to market needs and customer requirements.”

Subject to planning permission, Lexy also recently announced plans through separate company, L&J Eagry, to build a proposed £57m wellness destination, Bushmills Resort on adjoining lands. The resort alone has potential to create a further 300 additional jobs locally.  

He said: “With the resort, it is important we start thinking ahead. In relation to Halliday’s, we believe both ventures can co-exist through innovative and sensitive design, along with natural screening and tree planting.

“In the longer term and in the context of our expansion plans, if a suitable site can be found, it may make sense for our car, commercial and repair business to move to bigger population centres but it’s just too early to say. None of this will happen overnight and if we do move, it will be in a planned and phased way.”

“The message I want to get out is clear. The car dealership is our bread and butter. Our staff, our clients and Bushmills is massively important to me. This was our family’s first venture and its heritage means the world.

“I feel privileged to now have the opportunity to realise some of the dreams my dad Lex had for Halliday’s of Bushmills before he passed away at too early an age. It’s in my heart to grow it just like my parents did and my granny and grandad before them.”