Sandown Group has taken ownership of FG Barnes Guildford, the long-standing car dealership based on Moorfield Road in the Slyfield Industrial Estate, the group confirmed on Monday.
Local workforce to remain as business continues from site
The acquisition was completed for an undisclosed sum. Staff from FG Barnes have been transferred to Sandown and the business will continue to operate from the existing premises, the company said. Customers and residents can expect the site to remain open while Sandown integrates the operation into its wider regional network.
On the forecourt and in the showroom, the Omoda and Jaecoo marques will continue to be sold. The site has also recently added a Chery dealership this month, reflecting a change in the line-up of brands represented at the Moorfield Road address.
Changes to franchise and aftersales provision
FG Barnes no longer holds the Vauxhall sales franchise for new cars at the Guildford site. However, Sandown will continue to sell Vauxhall used cars from the location, maintaining a route for buyers seeking pre-owned vehicles from that brand.
On the servicing side, the site will operate as a Nissan Authorised Repairer. It will also offer Vauxhall aftersales support and provide all-makes MoT testing and servicing for both cars and vans — maintaining important local capacity for vehicle maintenance and roadworthiness tests.
- Acquirer: Sandown Group (family-owned, regional retailer)
- Location: Moorfield Road, Slyfield Industrial Estate, Guildford
- Brands continuing: Omoda, Jaecoo; Chery added recently
- Franchise change: no longer holds Vauxhall new car franchise; used Vauxhall sales retained
- Aftersales: Nissan authorised repairer, Vauxhall aftersales support, all-makes MoT for cars and vans
What this means for customers and the local area
For motorists in Guildford the outcome is pragmatic: the physical site remains active and able to service vehicles, including conducting MoTs, which helps preserve convenience for drivers across the town and surrounding parishes. Maintaining authorised aftersales work for Nissan and support for Vauxhall customers ensures continuity for owners who rely on manufacturer-standard servicing.
From an employment perspective, the transfer of the existing FG Barnes team to Sandown avoids an immediate disruption to jobs at the Moorfield Road location. That continuity will be welcomed by staff and by local businesses that supply or rely on trade from the site.
Sandown is an established family-owned dealership group operating across the South of England. It represents a number of manufacturers — including Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, smart and Brabus — and is listed in the Motor Trader Top 200 dealer groups. The group reported an annual turnover of £168.2m, and was ranked 96 in the latest Top 200 listing.
Outlook and next steps
The takeover follows a pattern in the motor retail sector where larger regional groups acquire smaller independents or franchise operations as brands and retail models evolve. For Guildford, the immediate effect is stability: the site remains open, staff have transferred, and key aftersales functions are preserved.
Sandown will continue to operate the Moorfield Road facility while it settles the acquired business into its wider operations. Any future changes to the layout of the site, sales strategy or staffing will become clearer as the new owners outline their plans publicly.
| Aspect | Position after acquisition |
|---|---|
| Location | Moorfield Road, Slyfield Industrial Estate |
| Sales franchises | Omoda & Jaecoo continue; Chery recently added; Vauxhall new car franchise ended |
| Used car sales | Vauxhall used cars retained |
| Aftersales | Nissan Authorised Repairer; Vauxhall aftersales support; all-makes MoT for cars & vans |
Local customers seeking further information about services or warranties should contact the Moorfield Road site directly. The continuation of workshop services and MoT testing will be particularly relevant in the weeks ahead as vehicle owners prepare for autumn driving and maintenance needs.
