An investment in a new facility and new technology will soon lead to Baylis investing in new staff for its Gloucester Accident Repair Centre.

The three counties motor group have recently opened the 23,000 square foot Corolin Road centre as part of its expansion plans.

The new facility has 20,000 sq ft of dedicated workshop area and the new bodyshop is more than twice the size of the company's old base on Cole Avenue.

Baylis are hopeful that the new base will help provide a better service for customers and a bnetter working environment for the 29 staff on site.

Increased space will allow the capacity to cope with the extra demand for accident repairs following the relocation of Baylis Cirencester last year and the closure of the bodyshop on Love Lane.

The Gloucester accident repair team is currently being expanded, and by the end of the year will have risen by 25 per cent.

Director Dave Williams said: "The biggest investment in equipment is the new movable booth which allows us to prepare, paint and complete repairs without moving the car, therefore reducing the overall repair time.

"All the other equipment on-site has been moved from Cole Avenue, with the addition of some new ramps."

There are two traditional ovens, a camera colour-matching system, infrared and UV rapid drying lamps, Naja measuring and jig, and a full wheel-alignment system.

New technology also embraces 360 degree imaging, Autoflow bodyshop management and workshop-based tablets throughout.

"We have far better facilities for all staff with increased efficiency throughout," Dave Williams added.

"All repairs will now be undertaken in the same workshop, so there is no need to move cars from one shop to another.

"We've also combined the parts operation and workshop control to work closer together: parts storage is now in the workshop rather than a separate building."

Baylis is one of the leading independently managed motor groups in the Three Counties, with eight Vauxhall franchises, a separate used car operation and autocentre at Worcester, and another stand-alone bodyshop in Cheltenham.

Last year Baylis were named as one of the best companies to work for in the UK by 'Best Companies' - the organisation which administers the Top 100 Companies lists for the Sunday Times.

Only the organisations with the highest level of overall employee engagement qualify for the award. Baylis were ranked the 45th best company to work for in the Midlands, and 56th best on the South West listings.