A new future is in the works for a former garage in Ringwood, as it changes hands for the first time in a century.

The vacant Wells vehicle garage site, close to the A31 in Ringwood, has been acquired freehold by local company D R Smith Properties. The new owners will be refurbishing the premises and seeking a new commercial tenant for the property in the coming months.

The off market purchase is the first time since 1928 that the ownership of the site has changed hands, and it will be turned into a new vehicle showroom - or similar.

This comes after speculation that the site would be demolished to build five new houses earlier this year.

Associate for Vail Williams Ben Duly said: “There are categorically no plans for housing development. D R Smith Properties, who we act for, are committed to keeping the site for employment and have significant inward investment planned.

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“The intention is to modernise the site, subject to planning permission, into a new vehicle showroom or similar.

“This is a speculative scheme as no tenant has been secured yet – the process of sourcing an occupier begins in earnest and we anticipate keen interest, given the prominent roadside location linking key commuter routes between Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.”

D R Smith Properties is a family business which is headquartered in Ringwood.

As a family, the directors of D R Smith Properties recognised Wells Garage as an important historical site within Ringwood and ideally didn’t want to see it demolished.

CGI of the proposed siteCGI of the proposed site (Image: Ron Wain of digital content specialist Deep South Media)

A spokesperson from the firm said: “Wells is now the only survivor of the original garages of Ringwood. The building has been in the area since 1930, when the land was bought by garage founder James W. Wells.

“Since then, the site has survived world wars, been used by the Ministry of Defence where the pumps were commandeered and guarded by the army, and been through depression, recession and changes in government.

“Although over the years the site has expanded, the main building is still as it was all those years ago. As a company we wish to recognise this and keep a bit of  Ringwood history alive, honouring the Wells family name.

“With this in mind, D R Smith Properties will be refurbishing the premises and intends to seek a new commercial tenant for the property in the coming months.”

Wells Garage sits between Salisbury Road, Linbrook Court and Northwood Road, just off the A338.