A major land sale deal being handled by Knight Frank for Swansea Council could lead to the development of a used car supermarket.
The option is among several being explored by the family-run Day’s Motor Group, a local company which has bought a 7.65-acre development site off Clase Road in Llansamlet, Swansea from Swansea Council for close to £2m.
A mixed-use scheme that also incorporates an element of industrial or retail use is also being considered by Day’s Motor Group for the site, as well as the potential for an investment opportunity.
Commercial property consultancy Knight Frank helped Swansea Council with the marketing and sale of the land, which has been disused for many years.
Neil Francis, partner in the Industrial & Development Agency of Knight Frank’s Cardiff office, said: “We are delighted to have achieved this sale for our client within a relatively quick timescale. There was significant interest in the site and the sale was concluded via a best bids situation which highlights how the demand for well-located sites within Swansea continues to be strong.”
Martin Nicholls, Director of Place at Swansea Council, said: “We’re delighted to have sold this development site to Day’s Motor Group, a very well-established local company with such a great reputation across South Wales and beyond. The development of this site will boost the nearby community by transforming an area of wasteland, while also creating jobs for local people.
“This sale is the latest example of identifying land and property that’s surplus to the council’s requirements as we look to become leaner and more cost-effective than ever before. With money from sales of this kind being reinvested back into council services, Swansea residents as a whole are also benefitting.”
Day’s Motor Group has a 91-year history, having been founded by Charles Edward Manton Day in 1926 on St Helen’s Road in Swansea, where the business initially employed eight people.
Now one of the largest private employers in South Wales, the company employs about 600 people.
Russell Day, Managing Director of Day’s Motor Group, said: “We are delighted to have acquired eight acres in Llansamlet, opposite Asda. The site and prime location offers great potential for the Day’s Motor group to further develop its core business activities and to create local Swansea jobs that will benefit both the local economy and the community.”
Other recent Swansea Council sales handled by Knight Frank include Dan-y-Coed House in West Cross, which was sold for £1.2m to Orbis Group, a specialist education provider working in the autism spectrum disorder sector.
Knight Frank is also seeking best offers for the council’s Pipehouse Wharf depot off Morfa Road, Swansea, which are being invited by the end of May.