More on KentOnline
A former motel is to swap rooms for vrooms to become a new car dealership.
Car keys instead of room keys will be handed over when Audi moves onto Maidstone’s former Veglios Motel site.
Work has already begun on the Sandling Road site, which is between the M20 and A229, with the promise of 36 extra jobs once up and running. The showroom will replace the company’s site on the Quarry Wood Industrial Park in Aylesford.
An initial planning application by BMW five years ago was rejected by Maidstone council, due to extensive wildlife on the site.
But an application from Audi was granted on appeal by a planning inspector, after it included improvements in design, access to the site and ecological plans.
Access to the site will be from the M20 sliproad at Junction 6, which runs parallel with the A229.
Sixty-two staff from the Quarry Wood site will transfer with a 36 extra jobs created.