Serving the Teesside Business Community | 13
An artist ’ s impression of RMB Automotive ’ s new £ 4.5m Darlington site . The RMB management team ( left-to-right ): John Wade , Darren Small , Richard Gordon and Paul Noon .
RMB Automotive announces £ 4.5m investment in Darlington
RMB Automotive Group has agreed the purchase of a four-acre site in Darlington . The North of England group , which is a multi-franchise business incorporating a Toyota and Renault Centre in Darlington , is now investing £ 4.5m in the development on Yarm Road , which will create 35 jobs .
The new site will incorporate a stateof-the-art multi brand centre , with a new all Business centre which will replace the temporary facility on McMullen Road .
RMB managing director Robert Bennett said : “ Since being awarded the Renault and Dacia franchises for Darlington and Northallerton we have been working on ideas for a redevelopment on McMullen Road , but towards the end of last year we realised that a move to Yarm Road was going to be the best prospect for the business due to the ongoing growth in our current business , but also the fantastic prospects for our Renault and Dacia franchise .
“ As part of the new development we will also be incorporating a new Renault Sport Centre which will be one of only 28 in the UK specialising in Renault Sport cars . There will also be a Business User Centre which will cater for all business users ’ needs in the Darlington and Tees Valley region .”
The Business team will be spearheaded by recently joined Paul Noon , group fleet manager , who is currently based from the
Teesside Business Centre within RMB Toyota Teesside site .
Plans which will soon be submitted to Darlington planning for consideration will include the building of two dealerships and a dedicated display area for vans .
The new site is just half a mile from the existing dealership on McMullen Road which will continue to be operated as a dealership though it is not known with which franchise at this stage .
The new development will result in the creation of a further 15 jobs once all existing employees have relocated from McMullen Road . It is also anticipated that a further 20 jobs will be created at McMullen Road .
Café culture is a High Street hit
Atmosphere , service and food . Those are the three key elements that Sardinian owner Roberto Pittalis believes have made Café Lilli one of the most talked about restaurants on Teesside .
Based on Norton ’ s increasingly popular High Street , Café Lilli is bustlingly busy throughout the week as word spreads ever further about its cracking combination that combine to make the perfect night out .
The restaurant can even afford the unique position of not offering bookings after seven o ’ clock on Friday and Saturday evenings , to create the unique atmosphere of what it calls a Café Lilli Weekend .
Previously co-owner of Sassari , once of Durham ’ s Sadler Street and later on Middlesbrough ’ s Linthorpe Road , Roberto took a risk when opening Café Lilli 12 years ago .
He recalls : “ I was looking for more of a village-type of restaurant and was told about a vacant property on Norton High Street . The high street was very different to what it is now . When I saw it I fell in love with the place . I liked the village and I liked the
Roberto Pittalis has put a lifetime ’ s restaurant experience into Café Lilli
location .
“ It was a risk to open a restaurant when there were no others here at the time but if you don ’ t take a chance you will never know . And it ’ s proved to be the best business decision of my life .”
Now Roberto and Café Lilli , with its staff of 27 , have built up a loyal customer base and welcome new customers daily .
“ There is really no secret to our success ,” smiles the lifelong restaurateur , who describes Café Lilli ’ s food as a fusion
between modern cuisine with an Italian influence . “ It ’ s down to hard work , always being positive and to never be afraid of being innovative . The awards , the reviews and the positive responses gives us the buzz to keep improving the place in all aspects .
“ Perhaps the most important aspect of what we do is a really personal customer service . Knowing the customers ’ needs and having the best team are essential to succeed in this business .”
For more details visit www . cafelilli . co . uk .