A MERCEDES dealership has been named the brand’s best in the UK.

TV celebrity Dermot O’Leary presented the Poole-headquartered Sandown Group with the title Mercedes-Benz Retailer of the Year for 2020 and 2021.

Sandown strengthened its presence across the south last year with the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz retailers in Newbury and Epsom and the opening of a Mercedes-Benz Aftersales Van Centre in Poole.

The new sites joined existing locations in Poole, Dorchester, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Guildford, Hindhead and Salisbury.

Gary Savage, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “Sandown has a strong and committed management team with a customer-centric approach to delivering excellent service.

“Our retail partners are a vital part of our success in the UK and as the industry continues to experience real change, I’m delighted that they are embracing the challenges and continuing to offer our customers an exceptional experience.”

The award, presented at a ceremony in Weybridge, follows previous trophies for Aftersales Team of the Year in 2019, New Car Sales Team of the Year in 2018 and Best Customer Service Team in 2016.

Sandown managing director Gavin McAllister said it was an “extraordinary moment” for the company and its staff.

He said: “Sandown’s recognition by our partners at Mercedes-Benz Cars UK as Retailer of the Year is testimony to the hard work and dedication of each member of the Sandown team.

“I truly believe that it’s the accumulation of our combined and consistent efforts each day that has delivered the performance and unlocked this success, and I am deeply grateful for the care, commitment, passion and focus of my colleagues across the business. As a business that is completely dedicated to the Mercedes-Benz brand, this award means a great deal to all of us on the team.

“This award is a special achievement that coincides with the strengthening of Sandown’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz with the addition of our new sites that increases our locations to 10 and our workforce to more than 500 employees. We are intensely focused on maximising the significant opportunities provided by our increased scale. I’m confident that there are exciting times ahead for Sandown.”