Grainger Motor Group secures green light for EMG Kia Cambridge

The green light means the fast-growing dealership group will invest £5 million in relocating EMG Kia Cambridge from its current site in Milton Road, Cambridge.

East Anglian dealer group EMG Anglia was acquired by brothers Harry and Neal Grainger early last year, twelve months after the joint managing directors of the group founded their business with the acquisition of Mantles Kia Royston. 

The deal - which added 14 sites included Kia Cambridge, Ely, Kings Lynn & Thetford, Mazda Cambridge & Boston, MG Ipswich, Nissan Kings Lynn and used car sites in Huntingdon, Duxford, Bury St Edmunds, Spalding and Esso Stapleford - catapulted the group into the rankings of the AM100 largest dealer groups in the UK.

Grainger Motor Group has since expanded with a sixth location at its EMG Kia showroom in Stapleford, to the south of Cambridge.

Mantles Kia showroom has also demonstrated significant business growth. Over three years, turnover has increased by nearly 185%, while operating profits rose more than 100%. Sales across all departments, including new and used vehicles, servicing and parts, have consistently grown year-on-year.

Its impressive financial growth, exceptional customer service and industry-leading approach to electric vehicle sales and service plans earned the dealership the title of winner in the Franchised Dealership of the Year category in this year AM Awards.

Grainger’s expansion with Kia has been recognised by the Korean brand for its outstanding performance throughout the Mantles and EMG dealer network with Mantles Kia Royston crowned 2024 outright ‘Dealer of the Year’.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: “The change of use from office to a car dealership and external alterations retains employment on site and diversifies commercial offering in the location.

People in the area raised concerns about the impact of the offices being turned into a car dealership. Objections were formally lodged by 18 members of the public, while concerns were also raised by the parish council.

Planning officers at the district council said they acknowledged the concerns but said they did not think the change of use would have any "significantly harmful impacts”. In a report officers said: “The proposal would utilise a redundant site of grey belt land which would preserve the openness of the green belt.