Marriott Motor Group submits plans to expand Audi dealership in Ipswich at Futura Retail Park to sell Skoda vehicles

An Ipswich car dealership has put in a bid to expand its offering in the hope of selling a second brand.

Marriott Motor Group, which runs the Audi dealership at Futura Retail Park, Crane Boulevard, wants to build a second showroom to the north-east of its site.

If approved, the area would be used to display Skoda vehicles, while also allowing the firm to add eight more valet bays as well as new bicycle places.

Currently, 84 Audi cars are on display at the site.

Under the plans, 60 of these would be retained, while 28 spaces would be used for used cars at the new showroom.

Of the existing 268 parking spaces for customers, 27 would be allocated for the Skoda showroom.

There are also a total of 11 electric vehicle charging bays and 11 blue badge spots, which would be unchanged.

The Audio showroom opened in 2016.

The applicant said: “In the eight years since the Audi dealership site was first opened there have been significant changes in the business of car sales and as such it is considered that the loss of the space to the new Skoda facility can be accommodated with no impact on the existing Audi business.”

Marriott Motor Group sells both used and new cars and runs dealerships in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and King’s Lynn.

The proposals will go before planners soon.