GOWRINGS, the Ford dealership, bodyshop and burger chain conglomerate, has returned six-month profits before tax up 22% on turnover which increased 16%. For the half-year ended June 30, pre-tax profit for the company topped £491,000 (1998: £401,000) with turnover at £50.3 million (1998: £43.3 million).

Operating profit in the motor division was up 1% to £728,000 (1998: £721,000), with turnover up 11% to £38.3 million (1998: £34.6 million). Future plans for the motor division include the opening of a body repair shop, scheduled to open in March 2000 which will give it four bodyshops in the Thames Valley.

The company has also been awarded the territorial rights for the Basingstoke area by Ford and has prospective premises under offer subject to planning consent. The motor division has main Ford motor dealerships in Wokingham, Newbury and Bracknell and bodyshops in Newbury, Wokingham and Swindon.