Three large retail sites are set to close around Swindon under plans for a car dealer to consolidate its showrooms into a new, purpose-built space.

The three Dick Lovett sites are the BMW showroom, the MINI showroom and the bodyshop.Dick Lovett BMW showroom, Rushy Park (Image: Newsquest)

The showrooms are near to one another in Even Swindon, while the bodyshop is located in Techno Trading Estate. 

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The company says that the separate sites are inconvenient for customers and manufacturers, and a single site on the outskirts near major roads will reduce traffic in the town.Dick Lovett MINI showroom, Ashworth Drive (Image: Newsquest)

The new site has been proposed to be near the M4 junction 16, off Swindon Road (A3102) across the road from the entrance to North Wiltshire Crematorium.

The company employs 950 people in the southwest but promises that there will be no job losses associated with the move and that the current sites will only shut when the new site is ready.The Dick Lovett Bodyshop, Athena Avenue (Image: Newsquest)

The company hopes that new business will move into the empty premises - which will in turn create more employment in the area.

A spokesperson said: “With our proposed move to Wiltshire no changes will occur until, and if, planning permission is granted, and construction is complete. 

“Our three sites will remain open throughout the entire period until we can move everyone across. 

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“We hope during this time to be able to identify new businesses which may want to take up space in our sites. 

“We firmly believe that our proposals will deliver a positive result for the local community in Swindon. An artist's impression of the planned Dick Lovett site (Image: Dick Lovett)

“Not only will our employees continue working for us, but new businesses which will establish themselves on the sites we vacate will, in time, recruit more local people further benefitting the town’s economy.

“Our hope is that any new ventures taking residency in our sites will not only preserve but enhance the vibrancy of the areas, ensuring that the local community continues to benefit from the economic activity and employment opportunities these sites provide.”The proposed location of the new Dick Lovett site (Image: Dick Lovett)

As well as reducing traffic in the town, Dick Lovett claims the new site will have sustainability at its core. This includes the planting of flora and use of green roofs.

It predicts a 10 per cent net biodiversity gain from the development, despite it being built on four acres of green space and six acres of developed space.

A consultation period regarding the plans is ongoing prior to planning permission being applied for. Take part and view the plans here: https://dicklovettjunction16.co.uk/

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