A former Warwick car showroom which has been empty for nearly a year might be turned into two new shops.

The former Kia showroom on Stratford Road has been vacant since April 2023 and has recently been on the market with local property agent Bromwich Hardy.

But now an application to convert the showroom into two retail units has been submitted to Warwick District Council by Warwickshire Partnership.

If approved, the plans would see the smaller unit used for a business such as a hairdressers, funeral director or salon.

Meanwhile the larger of the two would become a ‘top-up’ food shop.

“The top-up convenience store market has grown significantly in recent years as consumer’s food shopping patterns have evolved,” the application said. 

“These stores operate within localised catchments serving nearby residential populations.”

The showroom was last occupied by Kia (image supplied)

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Plans also show an ATM would be installed, as well as one disabled parking space and two EV charging spaces.

The application says there is no need to keep the unit as a car showroom as a new Kia dealership opened on Heathcote Lane in May 2023.

An assessment of other vacant units across Warwick was also submitted, which said the potential new units on Stratford Road would add something different to the local retail offering.

“Due to the historic nature of the centre and historic street pattern the shops and units are small,” the application said. 

“The centre also has not experienced any significant new investment in the recent past. 

“As such, the centre does not have any major new purpose built modern retail floorspace.”

See the full application here.