A TOTAL of 24 people lost their jobs in the days before Christmas when a Somerset car dealership closed down, it has been confirmed.

Established in 2003, the Blackdown Motor Company Ltd ran a number of successful franchises in the county – including Rowcliffes in Taunton and Bridgwater, as well as Summers of Yeovil.

Others, including in Walton, near Street, were also operated by the family-run firm.

However, at the end of 2021, the decision was made to close the outlet in Bridgwater, relocating the Ssangyong Franchise to Walton alongside the Subaru Franchise and the Vauxhall Authorised Repairer status.

And in 2023, the company was informed the Vauxhall Franchise in Taunton, together with the Vauxhall and Citroen Franchises elsewhere, would not be renewed.

The Taunton site closed in June 2023, followed by the Yeovil site in July last year – and a source close to the company said the remaining business in Walton did not produce forecasted results and the business started to become unsustainable.

Closure costs were higher than anticipated and forecasts lower than anticipated, putting the finances under severe strain, they added.

READ MORE: Landmark Somerset car dealership Blackdown Motor Company closes down

A spokesperson for Assist Business Consulting Ltd, which is overseeing the company’s liquidation, said: “The directors made the decision to cease trading in early December and the company was formally placed into Liquidation on December 23, 2024.

“Unfortunately, this resulted in 24 staff members being made redundant.

“This was obviously a very difficult period for all involved and worsened by the unfortunate timing so close to the Christmas break.

“Businesses are facing extremely challenging conditions at the moment and coming under increasing pressure and this is another unfortunate casualty of those conditions.

“The Liquidator will now work to maximise the assets on behalf of the creditors and also liaise with its creditors, in particular the former employees and customers of the company, to assist them with the process and provide support to submit their claims.”