The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northgate Vehicle Hire, Britain's largest commercial vehicle hire company, sells high-quality used vehicles, directly to local businesses and private buyers, with many available on 0% finance terms.

The opening of the centre on Allington Way on Yarm Road Industrial Estate in Darlington brings the total number of Van Monster retail sites across the UK to eight. 

The range of vehicles on offer at Van Monster extend from car-derived vans to small, medium and large panel vans such as Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and Ford Transits, chassis cabs and tippers from a range of leading manufacturers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall as well as Citroen, Fiat, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot and Volkswagen at a wide range of price.

The vehicles have previously been owned by Northgate Vehicle Hire and have typically covered between 10,000 to 120,000 miles. All have an extensive service history.

The company believes that the opening of the Darlington complex, which immediately becomes the largest Van Monster retail centre with vehicles available for viewing and buying, represents a major opportunity to mirror the success of the other locations.

 Gary Sullivan, Van Monster managing director, said: 'The recession meant that many businesses were unable to afford to buy new vehicles. However, it is important for small firms and sole traders to operate modern, well maintained vans which will be more efficient than the older vehicles they are currently running by being less costly to service and maintain.

'We have experienced a significant rise in sales over recent months at our other Van Monster centres and therefore believe that now is an opportune time to further expand our network.' 

He added: 'We have so many used commercial vehicles at our disposal on offer, all at excellent prices, that whatever business you are in whether you are a plumber, electrician, baker or candlestick maker, it makes sense to come and view what we have on offer at our new Darlington centre.'

Van Monster centres are already located in Birmingham, Bridlington, Colchester, Leicester, Newmains, Wakefield and Warrington.