BUSINESS leaders and dignitaries attended the launch of Jaguar Land Rover’s state-of-the-art aftersales centre yesterday.

The multi-million pound base, at Bailey Road, Christchurch, represents a huge boost for the local economy and is set to create dozens of jobs.

Peter Walker, aftersales director for Westover Group, explained: “This is the opening of our Jaguar Land Rover aftersales facility, which will see Jaguar and Land Rover come together in Christchurch.

“We are moving from a Land Rover centre which has ten bays and a Jaguar centre which has five bays, to this 29 bay facility. It is the largest fit out Jaguar Land Rover has done in the UK, outside of their own facility.

“We have spent a lot of time working on this prestige environment which suits the product.”

The centre also boasts 19 ramps, including speciality ramps which can lift up to five-and-a-half tonnes.

Peter added: “The second stage of this project is that, towards the end of the year or beginning of 2019, we will be opening the Jaguar Land Rover showroom, which is currently in progress.”