PLANS to open a new £2.5 million state-of-the-art car dealership could create 25 jobs in Hedge End.

The Peter Cooper Volkswagen Group is moving to new headquarters at Royal London Park in Flanders Road in May creating new roles for Southampton jobseekers.

Currently employing over 250 members of staff across five sites, the firm will be housed at the new 23,080 sq ft premises doubling its existing capacity to a 12-car showroom.

It will also have enough space for 60 second-hand cars, customer parking, and on-site MoT and valeting station.

Darren Cooper, group managing director, said: “There is a lot of history at the current site at Coopers’ roundabout. This is where Peter started the business over 34 years ago. Our current site has served us very well for the past three decades but we have been keen to expand for over five years due to site constraints.

“It will be strange but also very exciting to move our current site somewhere else after such a long time. This will be a fantastic addition to our group structure and one that we are sure our customers will love.”

“This further cements our stature as the leading Volkswagen retailer on the south coast and another exciting chapter begins,” he added. “We appreciate that customers want the best possible service and experience when they buy a Volkswagen and that’s what we strive to deliver every time.”

Brand manager Chris Godfroy said: “It’s a very exciting move that will also enable us to employ new people in a variety of roles including service, sales, administration, management and after care.

“This is a great move for the Peter Cooper Group. The unit is ideal for the company because it has excellent main road visibility and potential for the next stage of the Hedge End dealership growth plans.”