BARONS of Hindhead will be holding a public presentation to display its plans to relocate to the old Spaniard Inn site on the A3.

Barons’ head of business Peter Wakefield told The Herald: “We really want to encourage comments from people and hear about their ideas.

“By relocating our business from Hindhead, where it has been for 30 years, we are making a compromise.

“We plan to move the showroom for BMWs and Minis, the service centre, as well as the parts department to The Spaniard Inn site and storage and the bodyshop to another site nearby.”

The plans go on show at the Punchbowl Hotel, London Road, between 1pm and 5pm, on Tuesday, March 14,

Mr Wakefield added: “The new building relates to the site by placing showrooms against the A3 and a buffer zone to the southern boundary, ensuring sympathetic and minimal impact through the use of materials such as timber and green walls to enhance the buffer zone.

“The business currently employs 70 staff in a variety of skilled, sales and administration roles and plays an important part in the local economy and community.”

Barons BMW and Mini is located within the centre of Hindhead, an area which has become predominantly residential since the opening of the A3 Hindhead tunnel, nearly six years ago.

The site was once a small showroom and petrol forecourt situated along the busy main A3 London to Portsmouth Road, until the adjacent Jordans caravan site was purchased to allow for expansion.

Barons has traded on the present site since 1989.

Mr Wakefield said the current site has never allowed for a purpose-built facility – existing buildings have been extended and adapted to suit the business which currently operates from a dated facility.

He said: “By Barons relocating to the derelict Spaniard Inn site off the A3, it allows an existing brownfield site to be redeveloped and gives us the opportunity to create a modern purpose-built facility.

“The new site provides for a sympathetically designed building on the edge of Hindhead, which meets all modern standards and will allow the business to grow and invest in the local area through job creation.

“This will then free up the current site for residential use which is more in keeping with the area and to the benefit of nearby residents. “

Mr Wakefield added: “We are aware of the local connections with The Spaniard Inn and hope to earn the support from local people for our proposals at the forthcoming public presentation.”

The proposed site comprises 1.75 acres and has access from the A3 via an established road junction.

The old hotel and nightclub has been derelict for many years following a fire.