Speculation is rising that a former car dealership in Leigh could be turned into flats and a restaurant or wine bar.

The Volvo dealership, which occupied its London Road for 40 years, closed in December.

The land was sold shortly afterwards, reputedly for redevelopment.

The franchise was taken over by the Lookers dealership and its ten staff relocated to various sites.

Coupled with another recently announced block of flats nearby, any such development would significantly change the face of Leigh's main thoroughfare.

Last December, the owner of Westleigh Motors announced plans to relocate his London Road Mazda showroom.

Brian Gunner claimed his company had suffered a decline in business because of a lack of parking spaces.

Plans were later lodged with Southend Council to build 38 self-contained luxury flats with underground parking for 44 cars on the one acre site.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh ward, Peter Wexham, said: "There are enough wine bars about already.

"It seems everybody is just jumping on the bandwagon and trying to cut the cake even thinner.

"London Road is very congested anyway and plans for a wine bar would have to include provision for parking but on the whole I would favour a mixed development rather than just flats."

Published Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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