SWANSON Motor Company is to pull out of Teignmouth after a six-year effort to stay in the town.

Despite controversial moves to find an alternative site at Eastcliff car park, company directors Jim and Karen Swanson will be taking the dealership to purpose-built premises at the Kingsteignton Retail Park.

It is hoped that the company will begin trading with state-of-the-art facilites by the autumn, if planning permission is granted.

The urgent need to move has been brought about by Teignbridge Council's intention not to renew the current lease in readiness for the Brunswick Street redevelopment, said Mr Swanson.

'This is a commercial decision to move and has meant that we have had to invest a considerable sum of money to secure the joint future of our Ford dealership, loyal staff and our customers.'

New regulations recently introduced mean that the company that currently has a turnover of around £2 million, can move its Ford dealership from the Teignmouth catchment to Kingsteignton.

'We knew that Newton Abbot was a Ford open point and had to fight off intense comnpetition to become appointed.'

Town and district councillor Geoff Bladon said that following the stated intention of Teignbridge Council to redevelop the Brunswick Street area, Swanson Motor Co had been doggedly trying to find alternative premises in Teignmouth to save 16 jobs.

'Every attempt they made started off with support promised from the councils, but they subsequently failed at the 11th hour.

'On the last occasion they were encouraged to put in an application to relocate to a purpose-built showroom to be built at their expense at Eastcliff.

'There was a lot of controversy, fuelled by misleading information, and some very mischievous rumours given to the townspeople by certain elements opposed to the move, which eventually succeeded in stopping it.'

Cllr Bladon said that it was a very sad day for Teignmouth and its economy.

'I applaud Mr Swanson's determination to remain in Teignmouth if at all possible, and I understand the reasons why he has now felt that the only way he can continue his business and safeguard his employees' jobs and their families' wellbeing is to move out of the town to purpose-built premises at Kingsteignton.'

Cllr Bladon said that he was disappointed at the 'short-sightedness of certain individuals within our councils', which had resulted in the move.

He said there was no doubt that customers would follow the firm to Kingsteignton.

'This, of course, now leaves us with empty premises at Brunswick Street,' he said.

'The question of this area's redevelopment has still not been decided, and I would suggest that it is a matter of some urgency for town and district councils, and the chamber of commerce, to get together to resolve the matter as soon as possible, so that we're not left with a future eyesore.'