A Malvern motorbike seller and repair shop is moving its operations to Gloucestershire, with plans being approved to open a new showroom, workshop and cafe at a former factory this September 2025.
Motorbikes 4 All has secured permission from Forest of Dean District Council to open a new facility at the site of the former LFI British Ladders manufacturing site in Newent, according to Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter.
The business plans to give the former factory a 'new lease of life', in a move which could also see around 50 new jobs created.
The site, has around 5,180 sq m of floor space across several buildings, has been vacant since heritage Gloucestershire firm LFI relocated its manufacturing to Swansea, as part of its merger with Lyte Ladders in 2023.
Ben Fry, manager of Motorbikes 4 All, told the council's development management committee that the scheme will not involve changing the outside of the buildings, but 'simply reusing what’s already there in a way that makes sense'.
He said: 'One of our biggest benefits here is jobs.
'We’ll be moving our whole operation from Malvern to Newent, bringing around 25 staff with us straight away, but we’re planning for growth.
'Based on our experience, we expect to reach around 75 jobs, potentially a few more, in the next three to five years. That means training, apprenticeships, skilled work and more money being spent locally'.
He added that the cafe is 'a very small part' of the plans and will be for people visiting the showroom, waiting for workshop jobs and turning up for occasional 'ride outs' and small events such as open days.
'This is about reusing a large employment site in a sustainable way, bringing skilled jobs to Newent, boosting the local economy and doing it in a way that respects the site, its neighbours and the policies in your (the council's) local plan.'
.jpg?width=1380&height=722&rmode=pad&bgcolor=ffffff&quality=85&format=webp)
