Skoda retailer moves up a gear with move for Hull dealership

DM Keith, based in Hunslet Road, Leeds, bought Royce Roberts for an undisclosed sum.

The deal adds to DM Keith’s existing Skoda franchises in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield and York, where it also operates a SEAT dealership.

All 17 full-time and two part-time staff at Royce Roberts, based in Beverley Road, will be retained by the new owner.

DM Keith was advised on the deal by a four-person team from the corporate and commercial property departments at Yorkshire law firm Gordons, led by partner Peter Barton and corporate solicitor Andy Brian.

Gordons had previously worked with DM Keith when the group acquired sites in Huddersfield,  Bradford and York, six, five and three years ago respectively.

DM Keith director Dougal Keith said: “The transaction had a complex structure, involving not just a sale price but arrangements over Royce Roberts’ debt, for example.

“Yet Gordons guided us through the whole process smoothly, while ensuring the purchase could be completed within a demanding timescale.”

DM Keith was founded half a century ago and supplies new cars alongside approved used vehicles. Owned by directors Dougal and Angus Keith, the sons of the founder, the business has been selling Skodas for over 35 years.

All work in the company’s after-sales department is done by trained Volkswagen group technicians. The Skoda marque is owned by Germany’s Volkswagen.

Royce Roberts, founded in 2008, offers services including new and used cars, motability, business and fleet sales, parts and accessories, servicing and repairs, plus MoT testing.

The company was named after its founder and owner until the sale to DM Keith, a former general manager and operations director with another leading car group in Yorkshire.

Gordons’ Peter Barton said: “The DM Keith brand has been built through factors such as development of excellent relationships with customers, competitive pricing, outstanding service levels and the team having a real passion for their work. It’s therefore a pleasure to have helped the business broaden its base further and we’re certain its attributes will very soon be widely appreciated in Hull.”