Marriott Motor Group unveils plan for new Ipswich Audi showroom at Futura Park

The Marriott Motor Group is planning a new £8million showroom and service centre for its Audi dealership in Ipswich.

Marriott has exchanged contracts with AquiGen, the company behind the Futura Park retail and business park development, for a four-acre site.

The deal is subject to the approval of planning consent but construction work is poised to begin almost immediately and the new site could open as early as autumn next year.

Paul Barnard, managing director of Marriott Motor Group, whose current Ipswich Audi operation is based in Bath Street, said: “This is an exciting project for us and represents our largest ever property investment in what will be the flagship site across our group of 12 dealerships.

“We immediately bought into the vision of quality and sense of destination at Futura Park, and we are confident that our plans will be welcomed by the local council,” he added.

Paul Isaacs, managing director of AquiGen, said of the new deal: “It is great to welcome yet another prestigious brand to Futura Park, adding to the current household names including Waitrose and John Lewis at home.

“The new Audi dealership will be a fantastic addition to the park, and the investment means another boost to the local economy, providing more jobs and attracting visitors.”

The Marriott deal comes shortly after Marshall’s announcement of a £7m project to create a new Jaguar Land Rover dealership at the Nacton Road entrance to Futura Park, which occupies the site of the former Crane foundry.

Besides the Waitrose and John Lewis at home stores, retailers on the site include DFS, Furniture Village and Oak Furniture Land.

A further 4.5-acre site is under offer and negations are in progress for two three-acre plots.