WORK is well under way on a new and bigger base for Porsche dealership in Dorset.

Porsche Centre Bournemouth is to move to a two-acre site not far from its current Ferndown base.

The business says it has seen “continuous success and growth” since setting up in its current location at New Road and needs a much bigger site.

Car retailer Inchcape UK hopes the move to Peartree Business Centre, on Ferndown Industrial Estate, will bring new jobs to the area.

Jonathan Sullivan, centre principal of Porsche Bournemouth, said: “I am really pleased to move and expand from our current site so we can continue to serve our customers and build our presence in Bournemouth.

"The development is progressing well and we hope to be open later this year.”

First look at Porsche dealership plans

The new centre will be “considerably bigger” than the current one, with more space for new and second hand Porsches to be displayed inside and outside, a new handover bay and more workshop room for MOTs, diagnostics and servicing.

It will have 27 parking bays compared with the current seven and 11 new cars on display outside instead of the current seven. There will be 13 Porsche Approved used cars displayed inside and 17 outside, whereas the current site has space only for 20 outside.

It is expected to open in the third quarter of 2021.

Mr Sullivan said: “Given the current government restrictions, our showroom doors are currently closed but our customers can still get in touch with us over the phone, via our website or social media and our teams are ready to support in any way we can, including with the purchase of new and Porsche Approved vehicles.

"We look forward to opening our doors once again soon.”

The plan won approval from the former East Dorset District Council in 2019. Planning agent CL Planning said then: “The business has become a victim of its own success in that volume of trade has grown beyond the capacity of the current showroom and workshop facilities with no scope to expand on the existing site,"