THE new Webbers Subaru and Isuzu showroom, in New Road, Basingstoke, is rapidly taking shape.

Due to open by Friday, April 8, the refurbished premises will house Webbers' latest franchise, alongside its new and used Jaguar and Land Rover facilities.

Explaining his decision to add Subaru and Isuzu to the prestige brands already on show within the Webbers compound, managing director Winton Webber said: "Subaru has a fantastically loyal customer base because of the terrific reputation for reliability. We see it as a real niche product that will appeal to our customers and complement our existing franchises.

"The highly-regarded Japanese brand will knit in perfectly with our image and the family values of our business, which has been in Basingstoke for more than 100 years."

The idea to introduce Subaru and Isuzu was first discussed in 2003, but, before plans could move any further, Webbers needed to find space in which to house the new showroom.

It was decided that Jaguar Approved Used Cars would be relocated to a site across the road and the existing used Jaguar showroom would house the new franchise.

It took more than a year, however, to acquire the new premises, and work could not start on Subaru until used Jaguar had been successfully moved.

In the past three weeks, the original used Jaguar site has been stripped bare in preparation for its refurbishment as Subaru.

This week, contractors have been spraying the building's exterior - changing it from traditional Jaguar green to space-age Subaru silver - erecting the dealership Subaru signage and completing the new ceilings inside, in preparation for the complete Subaru treatment on the interior.

Although the new showroom is not yet up and run\ning, Webbers is already taking Subaru and Isuzu orders for March/April delivery.

For further information, call 01256 324561.

For more details on the showroom, its opening date and launch event details, see The Gazette on Friday, March 25.