Peugeot garage still hangs in the balance (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Peugeot garage still hangs in the balance

5:00pm Wednesday 4th January 2012 in Chronicle Business By Warwick Payne

EFFORTS are continuing to find a new buyer to rescue the failed Peugeot garage in Winchester.

More than 100 jobs were lost when the Southgate car dealership group went under in November.

Its branch at St Cross Road in Winchester was one of its flagship sites across Hampshire and Dorset.

Administrators Begbies Traynor could not find anyone willing to take over Southgate before the money ran out.

Efforts are still being made to find a new buyer or buyers prepared to take on all or some of its sites.

Speaking this week, the administrators said the landlords of the Winchester site were having talks with potential bidders.

However, there are still no reports of any concrete deal that might see the dealership reopen under new owners.

The garage and forecourt in St Cross Road were cleared within hours of Southgate calling in administrators.

Dozens of new and used cars were removed on transporters and the premises have lain empty for several weeks.

Efforts have been made to contact motorists who had servicing booked to warn them of the closure.

Meanwhile, customers expecting new Peugeots had their orders diverted to other dealers in Hampshire and Dorset.

Southgate, which was formed in 1996, sold Peugeots in Winchester, Southampton and Andover.

It also marketed them in Blandford along with Subarus. Southgate also sold Mitsubishis in Romsey, Poole and Bridport.

The company’s demise came after falling new car sales across Britain in 2011 compared to the year before.

Former employees are still waiting to hear if Southgate’s empty sites will be reopened by new owners.