Spring start for work on Porsche Wolverhampton showroom
Work on a landmark new base for a luxury car firm in Wolverhampton will begin in the spring after planning permission for the development was secured.
Porsche will move onto land on the A449 Stafford Road in Fordhouses after its application was given the go-ahead by Wolverhampton City Council.
The site, which will be known as The Gateway, will be built on vacant land close to junction 2 of the M54.
City council leaders have hailed the move as another boost for Wolverhampton's economy, as it comes as work on a new multi-million pound engine plant for Jaguar at the nearby i54 business park nears completion.
Once completed, the new Porsche showroom will replace the company's current base in Sutton Coldfield.
The development will feature a workshop as well as space for 107 cars.
City councillor for Bushbury North Ian Angus said: "I got confirmation that this was happening, and I'm delighted by the news.
"The fact that Fordhouses and the Stafford Road corridor has two of the biggest brands in the world with JLR and Porsche is tremendous news for Wolverhampton.
"This is a really strong signal to other investors that Wolverhampton is open for business and hopefully it will encourage more investment.
"It may not be directly part of the i54 site but it's within spitting distance and it is an exciting time for the north-east of Wolverhampton."
The manufacturer, whose cars fetch up to £120,000, has said that its brand new Macan range launched in November will go on sale at Wolverhampton.
Talking in December, spokesman for Porsche Rob Punshon said: "This new location will enable much easier access for sales and servicing of Porsche cars to a greater number of future and prospective customers from north Birmingham, Staffordshire and Shropshire."
Councillor Peter Bilson, the city council's regeneration chief, said: "I am delighted that planning permission has been granted to Porsche to build a new showroom in the city.
"This is excellent news for the city and this investment is another boost for Wolverhampton's economy.
"Attracting inward investment and increasing prosperity, particularly in the current economic climate, are key aims for us and this certainly helps us achieve that," Councillor Bilson added.
Junction two of the M54 where it meets the A449 is being extended to help cope with traffic using the i54 business park, on the South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton border.
