Van centre helping to empower workers with disabilities

A High Wycombe business has pledged its support for a charity scheme which helps to prepare people with learning difficulties for work.

The Norwood Charity is organising a commercial car wash in Hatch End and have been provided with a Volkswagen Transporter from Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre.

Norwood Future Clean, which is part of the charity’s supported employment programme, is a training project that teaches participants vital work skills.

Head of business at Citygate Volkswagen, Mark Hudson said: “We’re proud to support the Future Clean programme and are glad that we can be of assistance by providing a van.

“As a business we’re always happy to get involved in the community and support fantastic causes.”

Project development manager Linda Looney said: “Norwood believes that everyone, regardless of their ability or circumstance, has the right to play a full and active part in society and having a job is a key aspect of this.

“Based on social enterprise principles, Norwood Future Clean is a fantastic new training project that provides an important stepping stone on the road to employment for people with a learning disability.

“It really suits the needs of the people we have identified as participants and, because it is environmentally-friendly, we also believe it will be attractive to motorists.”

HIGH WYCOMBE BUSINESS INVESTS £0.5M IN THE UK’S LARGEST VAN CENTRE

A prominent High Wycombe business has invested half a million pounds in a state-of-the-art centre in the town.

Vehicle retailer group, Citygate, will move its Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles site to the new premises on Holtspur Lane in Wooburn Green.

The new 2,500m² centre will be the largest Volkswagen Commercial Centre and only the second lifestyle centre in the UK and will include a six vehicle showroom, seven bay workshop and dedicated MOT bay, with the potential to create new jobs next year.

Previously the business had been located at Citygate’s Volkswagen cars site on London Road, but due to an increase in business demand, required larger premises.

Citygate Volkswagen Van Centre’s brand manager, Mark Hudson, said: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing businesses and van drivers in Buckinghamshire with the highest standard Volkswagen facility.

“After four successful years based on London Road, this is now an exciting time for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

“The new showroom has a contemporary design in line with Volkswagen’s new corporate identity, allowing customers to view the full range of Volkswagen commercial and lifestyle vehicles including the California campervan models, in a friendly and relaxed environment.

“We are looking forward to seeing customers, both old and new, at the new premises and which will now be able to offer Class 7 MOTs because of the new and improved workshop facilities.”

Citygate Automotive group is Buckinghamshire’s largest car retailing group with seven sites across the region, employing 350 people.