The former Horse and Jockey pub and Wacky Warehouse site at Wythall has been purchased by a Redditch motorhome sales and repair company which is expanding its business and looking nationwide.
Advised by Worcestershire property agents John Truslove, The Motorhome Depot, a family-run business, is preparing to move from rented premises in Bartleet Road, Washford, Redditch, and has paid £850,000 for the 1.64-acre site which is just off the M42 and national motorway network.
Managing director Paul Chance, who runs The Motorhome Depot with his wife Janine and daughter Bethan, said: “We have been looking to expand for some time now and didn’t want to keep on renting.
“Ian Parker at John Truslove found the Horse & Jockey site for us which is perfect as it enables us not only to sell and rent motorhomes but also set up an accessory store and coffee shop.
“When we open on site in May we will be in an even better location for the growing number of customers who are coming to us from all parts of the UK.”
Originally established as a motor repair business in 1995, the company expanded into motorhome repairs and servicing, moving to Washford in 2010.
Paul said: “From repairs and servicing, we grew in to selling secondhand which led on to supplying motorhomes and we are now agents for top brands Adria, Elddis and Burstner.”
The business currently employs 13 but Paul said that when refurbishment and development on the site was complete, the new accessory store and coffee shop would create further employment.
The Motorhome Depot was helped with change of planning use by Rob Wall at RCA Regeneration Ltd in Hampton Lovett, Droitwich, and Hadleigh Burns at accountants Charles Lovell in Redditch provided funding advice. Legal advisors were Thursfields Solicitors.
Tony Gibb, director and Head of Commercial Property, said: “Thursfields have worked with Paul for some years now, and in that time we have seen his business flourish. It was therefore great to be involved in the next stage of growth when he needed our advice to secure larger premises from which I’m sure his business will continue to succeed.”
Ian Parker, joint managing director of John Truslove, said: “The former Horse & Jockey pub and Wacky Warehouse site had run its time in its previous use and so it was great to be able to help Paul and his team move there and bring the site back to life.
“When their refurbishment and redevelopment programme is complete, I am sure they will continue to flourish, especially in such a well-located premises for the growing motorhome market.”
The UK motorhome market has flourished in the past decade, with an all-time record of 14,655 new motorhomes registered in 2018. Trade body the NCC estimates there are currently 225,000 motorhomes on the road.