Carcraft closure could leave drivers out of pocket

THOUSANDS of customers could be out of pocket after the shock closure of car supermarket giant Carcraft with a reported loss of 550 jobs.

Staff at the Rochdale head office were told yesterday. The company’s nine showrooms have also been closed.

Administrator Daniel Smith said: “To prevent further losses it has been agreed with management and creditors to cease operations with immediate effect.” A helpline has been set up for customers on 0800-923 9495.

Carcraft was the UK’s seventh-largest second-hand dealership chain, with an annual turnover of £120 million across 10 sites. The group sold over 12,000 cars a year at an average £9,000 a car.

Founded by Frank McKee in 1951 the group began life as a filling station in Heybrook.

In 1998 Darren and Noel McKee bought out their father in a £50m deal and expanded the company. In 2007 Darren McKee was named as the UK’s richest person under 30, he and his brother’s joint fortune reckoned to be around £120m. Last year the brothers sold the company in a management buy-out led by chief executive Robin Bridge.