By Anne Tugwell

A MAJOR Alcester motor dealer is preparing to shut up shop after a decade in the town - prompting speculation about what will happen to the vacant site.

Brooklyn, which took over from Coulters in Priory Road in 1995, will close its doors next week and move its entire operation to Redditch.

Most of the 14-strong workforce will make the move and, according to dealer principal Richard Hill, only one job will be lost.

Speculation continues over the vacant site, which was once earmarked as a "gateway to Alcester" by Advantage Alcester.

But those plans appear to have fallen by the wayside, and developers Neil Grinnall have lodged an application with Stratford District Council to build 28 homes on the site.

Those plans have already met opposition from Alcester Town Council which fears that the proposed development is too dense.

And in the review of the district council's Local Plan, the inspector favoured retail and business development instead of housing.

The plans are expected to go before the district council's west area planning committee in the near future.

Mr Hill said he was sorry to be leaving the town.

"We as a company have had a fantastic relationship with local people who are our friends and customers. We will be very sad to leave Alcester.

"However in terms of meeting the demands of the motor trade and manufacturers we have to move along with the times.

"As well as looking after our current customers we hope to improve the whole customer experience through this investment."

Brooklyn closes on August 5 though customers will still be able to make use of the collect and deliver service for servicing and will be contacted by the company.