Vertu Motors

The handover of a new car took an unexpected turn for one York woman, whose boyfriend dropped to one knee in the showroom of Bristol Street Motors York Renault Dacia and asked for her hand in marriage.

James Landragin, 39, popped the question to his now fiancé, Zoey Mclaughlin, 40, as they collected their new vehicle from the Clifton Moor site, after arranging the surprise proposal with the dealership.

The couple have been together for four years and had picked the ring a few weeks prior, with Zoey telling her future husband that she wanted a romantic, surprise proposal when she least expected it.

Colleagues at the York dealership leapt at the opportunity to get involved and arranged for the vehicle to be covered in a sheet, and caught the moment James got down on one knee, as Zoey was busy unveiling the car, on camera. Following the joyous moment, the newly engaged couple were presented with a celebratory bottle of champagne.

James explained his reason behind choosing the dealership: “I’ve known that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Zoey for quite a while and we picked the ring out together about four months ago.

“Zoey told me she wanted a surprise proposal, but the weekend before I proposed, we spent a romantic weekend in the countryside, going on lots of scenic walks. She later told me she had been quite nervous on the walks as she thought I was going to propose!

“After that, I knew I had to make the proposal really random, out-of-the-blue and soon, which is why I thought that visiting Bristol Street Motors York Renault Dacia would be a great opportunity. She would never see it coming and be distracted by the car, so I could have plenty of time to spring it on her.

“Colleagues at the dealership were only too happy to help me set it up. They sorted out a sheet to cover the vehicle and moved the handover inside. They told Zoey they were filming her reaction to receiving the new car, so she didn’t get suspicious why people were recording us. I’m just pleased that she said yes after waiting for me to pop the question for four months!”

Steve Gould, Group Operations Director at Bristol Street Motors, said: “We’d like to extend the congratulations from everyone at Bristol Street Motors to James and Zoey. We were really pleased that we were able to be part of this very happy memory and to have caught the moment on film for them.”

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive at Bristol Street Motors, said: “I think this is the first time that one of our dealerships has hosted an engagement, but hopefully not the last!

“Many congratulations to them both!”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors plc is the fourth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 192 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors plc was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group’s acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 188 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from 142Approved S locations across the UK.

Vertu’s Mission Statement is to “deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust”.

Vertu Motors Group websites – investors.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com

Vertu brand websites –

www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk / www.macklinmotors.co.uk / www.vertumotorcycles.com / www.vansdirect.co.uk / www.thetaxicentre.com / www.powerbulbs.com