Work is underway on a development that could create up to 25 new jobs when one of the region’s top Volkswagen dealerships opens its new £2.5 million showroom, national property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton has announced.
Peter Cooper Motor Group Ltd is moving to 3 Royal London Park, Flanders Road, Hedge End, on a 20-year lease after planning permission was approved for a change of use from an industrial unit to a car showroom and workshop.
The family-run firm, which is the largest independent Volkswagen retailer in the South, will move from its existing showroom at Coopers roundabout to the new 23,080 sq ft premises in July 2015, when the refurbishment works are completed.
The Volkswagen dealership, which has another three showrooms in Southampton, Portsmouth and Chichester, will comprise a 12-car showroom and spaces for 60 used cars, as well as a valeting station and MoT and servicing bays, almost doubling its capacity.
The existing site will be turned into a showroom for used prestige vehicles, marking a new business development for the company.
Adrian Whitfield, director of industrial and logistics agency at LSH in Southampton acted on behalf of the site owner and led the negotiations for the move.
He explains: “This is an exciting move for the Peter Cooper Group, which is consolidating its presence in the region with a top-of-the-range car showroom at the industrial estate,” he said.
“The unit is ideal for the company because it has excellent main road visibility and has plenty of potential for a dealership business that wants to provide an impressive showroom.
“This is a significant investment and demonstrates its continued commitment to growing its business and providing customers with a top quality service.”
Darren Cooper, Group Managing Director of Peter Cooper Group, said the expansion will enable the business to represent the Volkswagen brand in a new facility that provides more space and customer parking.
“Our current site at the Coopers roundabout has served us very well for the past three decades but we are keen to expand and have been looking for a new site for about five years,” he said.
“This move will enable us to take our business to yet another level, increase our performance and provide even better customer service.”
J3 Partners Building Consultancy is project manager for the landlord works and Rekan is acting on behalf of Peter Cooper to provide occupational management services. Jones Sang LaSalle acted as joint agent with Lambert Smith Hampton.
The Royal London Park is half a mile from junction 7 of the M27 via the A334, close to Southampton and Portsmouth along the M27 corridor and to the M3 and A3(M). Hedge End is a well established trade counter and industrial site. Other occupiers include Marks & Spencer, B&Q Depot, Screw Fix and Howdens.
