MIDLANDS-based, family-owned motorcycle business CMC has opened at the former South Wales Superbikes site in Newport after it closed in the summer.

CMC has already invested £100,000 in the new store, creating an initial 12 jobs with a dozen more in the pipeline.

Well-established Yamaha dealership and motorcycle repair, servicing and clothing business South Wales Superbikes, of 10-11 Estuary Road, Queensway Meadows, Newport, closed down in August.

Fellow Yamaha dealership CMC Motorcycles, which has five other motorcycle stores, opened what is now its sixth and its first in Wales on Saturday (October 31) at the site.

The new store, about 15,000 sq ft, has 50 per cent more retail space on the mezzanine floor than previously, with a large area dedicated to motorcycle helmets. An array of new and used motorcycles, covering a range of manufacturers, are displayed on the ground floor.

CMC says three areas of the business - motorcycle sales, clothing, accessories and parts plus service - should provide opportunities for the recruitment of a further dozen staff.

CMC managing director Ross Feltham, who was at the new store on Saturday, said he was delighted with the response from the motorcycling fraternity to the Newport opening.

“The place has been buzzing all day with the motorcycle parking area at the front packed with bikes and bikers. People have come from all over to visit the new store and see what we have to offer. In the first weekend open South Wales matched CMC’s best performing branch for bike sales which is a great start. This all augurs very well for the future.

“We have known South Wales Superbikes since the early nineties. Unfortunately SWS had to close its doors in August after a difficult spell of trading and we are pleased to say that after negotiations with the staff and landlords CMC has been able to open its latest dealership here in South Wales.

“We have already invested around £100,000 in the new store which has included doubling the size of the clothing, accessory and service department. We want to become a 'destination dealership' for the South Wales area where motorcyclists can gather and see a wide choice of new and used bikes and scooters and a vast range of clothing, accessories and parts.

“We currently have around 130-150 used bikes and 30-50 new Yamahas. This number should be fairly consistent, however CMC Motorcycles South Wales now has access to the hundreds of used bikes available in our other five branches located in Chesterfield, Nottingham, Cannock, Stoke and Coleshill. We will also be opening in Manchester in 2016."

Mr Feltham said a target for annual motorcycle sales at CMC Newport is 1,000 machines.

He said: “We have seen in the past what this dealership can do and with all the expansion going on in Newport and the South Wales area it’s a great time for CMC to have a dealership in Wales.

“It’s also a vote of confidence in the people here too. The work ethic from the staff at the dealership and the supporting trades people from South Wales, who have helped renovate the building in double quick time, has been a joy to be a part of. We are really looking forward to 2016 and providing a great place for motorcyclists to visit.”