A MAJOR car retail centre based on the out-of-town designer outlet-concept is to open in the region.

The £10m Vroom centre will bring together eight car dealerships with the capacity for more than 700 vehicles at the Silverlink Business Park, in North Tyneside.

The eight-acre development, the first of its kind in the UK, is based on a successful European model and caters for consumers and retailers.

The investor behind Vroom is property development company Richville, which is based on Jersey.

Developer Circle Red Properties has played a major role in the project, with partners including commercial property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton and GVA Grimley.

David Nicholson, director of Lambert Smith Hampton, in Newcastle, said: "Vroom has been a project three years in the making.

"The flagship site at Silverlink is the ideal location. Visibility, access and a critical mass of opportunities for buyers will ensure that the location will soon be fully committed."

Vroom spokesman Duncan McGregor said: "We saw a niche in the market for a concept which has been tried, tested and proven in Europe.

"We have already signed up three dealers and two other plots are under offer.

"For buyers, this is a revolution in the way cars are sold. The days of traipsing around dozens of different dealerships, miles apart from each other, are long gone."

Construction of the car centre, on the A19 and A1058 coast road junction, is scheduled to begin early next year.