Tesla to move into former Porsche showroom in Dorset

Tesla has made planning applications to adapt a former Porsche dealership in Dorset into a new showroom for its electric cars.

The property at West Parley was originally constructed as the home of Inchcape's Porsche Centre Bournemouth, which has now relocated to a larger new-built site at Wimbourne.

It was built in 2008 after Inchcape was awarded its first Porsche franchise.

If the plans are approved by councillors, it will be the first Tesla outlet in Dorset; currently the nearest Tesla showroom for Bournemouth residents is the one at Winchester, almost 40 miles away.

The dealership, at a prominent corner plot fronting the A347 into Bournemouth, provides space for around 90 vehicles, plus some 10 cars inside the showroom, and it has an eight bay workshop plus valeting facilities.

Property agent Knight Frank notes that the surrounding area of Ferndown is a large and affluent town within East Dorset.

Tesla's agent is Fresh Design International, the same firm which is also set to convert a former DIY store in Bristol into a new Tesla dealership with Superchargers for EV drivers.