Doble Motorcycles in Coulsdon in talks to expand
PLANS to turn a disused garage site in Coulsdon into a workshop for a local motorcycle store could provide a much-needed boost for the town centre.
Doble Motorcycles is in talks with Croydon Council to develop the area behind its showroom at 103 Brighton Road, between Brighton Road and Farthing Way.
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From left, Doble sales executive Tony Butt, owner Mike Doble, and sales executive Rob May outside the disused site
The 1,000 sq ft development would replace Doble's workshop at the Ullswater Trading Estate, which would close when its lease expires in 2013.
The plans include new two-storey buildings, built partly below ground, with a plant wall and a cafe.
Mike Doble Junior, whose father started the shop on Brighton Road in 1967, said: "It should be a bit of an attraction for people to come to.
"The idea is to bring our services together, and bring people into the town, rather than having them just sit up on the industrial estate."
Vehicles would enter from Brighton Road into a service yard, with space for lorries to turn round. Doble say they are also considering providing public art at the entrance of Coulsdon coming from Purley.
"The plans are not finalised," added Mr Doble, "and we are happy to contribute to more discussions."
Charlie King, chair of the East Coulsdon Residents Association (ECRA), extended a welcome to the plans.
He said: "It should bring business back into the town – people will spend time in the town centre while waiting for repairs.
"We often get undesirables hanging around there – this should see an end to that.
"It should tidy the place up while keeping employment in the town centre."
Nigel Rea, of the Old Coulsdon Residents' Association, attended a recent presentation about the proposals by architects Alton Design Associates, hosted by ECRA.
He said: "In general, the development had the approval from all present.
"It will clear up an untidy part of Coulsdon and maintain the presence of Doble, who have been trading locally for 44 years.
"The service road will be resurfaced and monitored by Doble's CCTV cameras, which should discourage current gatherings of local youths."
Doble bosses expect to submit a full planning application before the end of the year.
3 Comments
by Ivor_Shed
Friday, November 11 2011, 8:59AM
“I commuted from Coulsdon then Croydon to central London for 25 years although the latter bigger bikes didn't get anywhere near 100mpg - more like 40. Coulsdon to London by bike - 40 minutes and free parking at the office.
Ride carefully and you can survive.”
by djerbel2
Thursday, November 10 2011, 11:52PM
“cant understand why there are not thousands more m /cyles on our roads 100 mpg plus from a 125 cc m /cycle a 30 min journey to work in a car less than 15 mins on a m/cycle.”
by Ivor_Shed
Thursday, November 10 2011, 2:32PM
“So come on - where are the NIMBYs. last time someone wanted to put a disused garage back into use as an MOT station they were out in force?
I assume Dobles is doing more business since Greyhound Motors was destroyed during the riots?”