Just Car Clinics sees a healthy future for further expansion as its figures improve

The Goole-based group, which now operates a chain of 25 crash repair centres, said its strengthening balance sheet means it has the capacity to continue growing. Net debt was cut 30 per cent to 1.3m by the end of 2009.

JCC said after adding the sites in Stourbridge and Redditch, it plans to continue growing in areas such as the Midlands.

"We like to try and grow in clusters in a region – we can share resources," said chief executive Barry Whittles.

"What we don't want to do is risk the crown jewels for the sake of saying we've got 40 sites."

Tumbling consumer confidence in 2009 slightly dented profits and hit sales in 2009, but JCC said it is in "a good position to meet the challenges of 2010".

Including acquisitions, JCC grew turnover by 0.6 per cent to 42.9m in 2009.

Once acquisitions were stripped out, the group's revenue dipped 3.9 per cent. Pre-tax profits were down six per cent to 1.22m.

However, the group said its performance was set against a 10 to 15 per cent industry fall.

JCC's sites are mainly in Yorkshire, but stretch as far north as Durham and south to Swindon.