BODYSHOP to burger bar group Gowrings has announced an 11% growth in turnover to £87.7 million - and pre-tax profits up 22% to £1.6 million - helped by a fifth consecutive annual rise in turnover and profits for its motor division.

Vehicle-based operations, including Ford dealerships and bodyshops, accounted for £66.6 million of total turnover in the year to the end of December 1998, a rise of 8%, while operating profit rose nearly a quarter to £1.4 million from £1.1 million for 1997.

Extended service intervals on cars and reduced service times have put pressure on traditional service and parts operations, leading to a number of new customer initiatives to bring in more sales, including special sales weekends, while computer links between dealerships and bodyshops have cut down on administration costs.