Skoda Colchester: Group 1 Automotive to open new showroom

Underwoods Skoda, in Auto Way, Highwoods, shut its doors for good back in March, sending shockwaves through the city. 

The closure was quickly followed by the removal of the rest of Underwoods’ new car sales business in the area.

Speaking previously, its boss said the move was a result of a decision by Skoda to “reduce the number of dealers in their network, with an increased focus towards online sales.”

But less than three months after the closure of the Underwoods dealership, a competing motoring giant has revealed its plans to revive the Skoda brand in Colchester.

Closed - the former Underwoods Skoda site in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

Group 1 Automotive, which is the main dealer for Volkswagen in the city, has submitted plans to extend its current site, in Axial Way, Colchester.

READ MORE: Everything we know after Underwoods decides to close three Colchester car dealerships

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Submitting the firm’s proposals to Colchester Council’s planning department, its representative wrote: “The proposal is to include the extension of an existing valeting building to create a seven-car showroom for Group 1 Skoda.

“The building will feature a workshop, small parts, automatic vehicle wash and valeting area to the back of house as well as staff facilities and offices to the front of house.

“The site layout will be adapted to account for customer parking to the showroom, additional demonstrator parking and a separation to the compound.”

Planning officers will now decide whether the car sales firm can continue with the extension.