A LANDMARK site on one of Dunstable’s busiest roads stood vacant yesterday, after a prominent dealership moved out of the town.
Wayside Volkswagen Dunstable, pictured right, has now relocated from its familiar site in Luton Road.
A statement from the company said: “Jardine Motors Group are moving the Dunstable business to Milton Keynes Van Centre, Bilton Road, Bletchley.
“The site will be sold for future development.”
Jardine Motors acquired the Wayside Group last year.
The news of the dealership’s departure has been greeted with dismay at a time of optimism about the town’s business scene.
Damian Cummins, chairman of the Luton and South Beds branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “We are very disappointed to hear about this.
“Generally, there is an extremely positive outlook in Dunstable.
“My big worry is that the site could be left vacant for a long period of time. We’d like to see someone moving in there fairly quickly.”
South West Beds MP Andrew Selous said: “I am always desperately sad to see any jobs leaving Dunstable. I very much hope there will be a new business coming onto that site to create jobs.”
On a brighter note, he highlighted the many jobs on the way with new business developments springing up in the town.
Mr Selous said: “Overall, I think things are looking up for Dunstable. There are lots of very positive things in the pipeline.
“If there were shares in Dunstable, I would be a buyer – the town is very much on the up.”