Former Car Dealership, 196 Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1

LOCATION
The property is strategically located just off the busy Cowdray Avenue (A133), benefiting from a high volume of passing traffic and excellent visibility.

Located just 0.7 miles east of Colchester City Centre, the property enjoys a prime position along Cowdray Avenue, a key arterial route forming part of Colchester´s inner ring road and benefits from excellent connectivity to the A12 and A133.

It is adjacent to the well-established Cowdray Trade Park, home to prominent retailers such as Aldi, DFS, Halfords, and Pets at Home. To the east lies Colne View Retail Park, featuring major brands including The Range, Iceland, MKM Building Supplies, and Graham Plumbers Merchant. The property is also diagonally opposite the popular Colchester Leisure World, Aqua Springs, and McDonald´s, ensuring a steady flow of visitors and strong local footfall. This prime location offers exceptional connectivity and prominence within a thriving commercial and residential hub.

DESCRIPTION
A rare opportunity to purchase a high-profile former car dealership, ideally suited for vehicle sales, servicing, fast-fi t operations. This prominent property offers exceptional visibility and accessibility in a well-established commercial and residential area of Colchester.

Showrooms and Workshops - Comprises two showrooms, a main workshop, secondary workshops/storage, a valeting bay, and ancillary office and storage.

Forecourt and Parking - An external car sales display area for 8 vehicles fronting Cowdray Avenue with additional display spaces and parking for over 100 vehicles across the site.

Prime Automotive Premises - Previously occupied by Lookers Land Rover & Volvo, featuring two showrooms, workshops, offices, servicing area and valeting bay.

High-Visibility Site and Strategic Location - Situated on the busy Cowdray Avenue (A133), part of Colchester´s inner ring road, with excellent connectivity to the A12 and A133, serving peripheral residential and commercial areas. Adjacent to Colchester Leisure World, Cowdray Trade Park, and Colne View Retail Park, ensuring heavy passing traffic and strong local demand.

Low Site Coverage - 32.7% site coverage with extensive forecourt and display parking for over 100 vehicles. The irregular-shaped site features a 100-foot frontage to Cowdray Avenue.

Flexible Use Potential - Benefits from Sui Generis use class, appealing to roadside retailers, commercial operators, or other users requiring prominent frontage, easy vehicular access, and substantial parking.

ACCOMMODATION
Building One - Car Showroom 1 (4,121 sq. ft.) -

Former car showroom, principally constructed of brick walls and a pitched covered roof, currently arranged as a showroom with full glazed frontage, suspended ceiling, air conditioning, tiled floor and offices and WC´s facilities.

Building Two - Car Showroom 2 (1,900 sq. ft.) -

Constructed of steel frame with glazed curtain walling to south and west elevations with the accommodation comprising showroom, offices, kitchen, WC, with air conditioning.

Main Workshop - (6,972 sq. ft. plus Mezzanine) -

Constructed of steel portal frame with brick block walls under a pitched corrugated sheet roof, high level windows providing natural light, accessed via a single roller shutter door (3.6m W x 3.75m H) with an approximate height to underside of eaves measuring 4.5m and an Apex measuring 6.9m. Internally there is a mezzanine floor providing basic storage with limited height restrictions.

Workshop / Storage (9,472 sq. ft.) -

Comprising of steel frame, brick block walling with northern light roof, profile metal sheeting insulated internally. Approximate height to eaves 3.7m.

Office and Valeting Bay (958 & 367 sq. ft.) -

Adjacent to the workshops is a small office building Approximate height to eaves 3.7m.

SERVICES
We are of the understanding that all services are connected to the site.

TERMS
Freehold For Sale (Title Number: EX340372) Subject to Contract

GUIDE PRICE: £2,000,000 plus VAT (Subject to Contract)

OUTGOINGS
Business Rates:

We have made informal online enquiries of the Valuation Office Agency. The subject Property is assessed for the purposes of the 2026 Rating List as follows:

Address - 196 Cowdray Avenue, Colchester
Description - Car Showroom and Premises
Rateable Value - £270,000
Rates Liability - £129,600

The Uniform Business Rate (UBR) for the financial year 2026/2027 is £0.48 (where the Rateable Value is £51,000 or more)

VAT
All rents, prices and premiums are exclusive of VAT under the Finance Act 1989. We are advised that the property has been elected for VAT.

LEGAL COSTS
Each party to bear their own legal costs incurred in this Transaction.

OTHER
Anti-Money-Laundering: In accordance with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, the agents will require verification of the prospective purchaser´s identity, residence, and source of funds prior to instructing solicitors.

REF: C2565

VIEWING
For further information or to make arrangements for a viewing please contact Nicholas Percival Commercial Department.

Viewing of the brochure is highly advised.