The Peugeot dealership Robins and Day is preparing to abandon its traditional home in the heart of Maidstone and move to new purpose-built premises in Cuxton Road, Park Wood.

The company is currently based at Len House at the bottom of Mill Street.

The Grade II listed building was constructed in 1938 by Howard and Souster in the modernist style as a purpose-built car showroom, filling station and repair workshop for Rootes - then the biggest car manufacturing company in the country. Times have changed, and Robins and Day say the building is 'no longer fit for purpose.'

The company plans to move into its new premises in August, where it says it will be able to offer customers improved showroom space, all departments under one roof, and a bigger car park. It will also be able to give MOTs to class seven goods vehicles.

The general manger Steve Edwards said: “We are excited about the relocation."

"The new dealership will offer the same exceptional service to all of our customers, in enhanced facilities and surroundings."

Robins and Day chief executive James Weston said: "The Maidstone Len House dealership is part of Robins and Day’s 100-year history. The new site in the Park Wood Industrial Estate reflects the future of the dealership.”

It is expected that Len House will be redeveloped as a mixture of housing and retail units. It was one of five key town centre sites earmarked by Maidstone council in August last year for regeneration.

The other four-sites the council is hoping to see transformed are Buzz Bingo and Granada House, which is another modernist-style building like Len House; Mote Road (the open parking area to the rear of Thrifty car rental); land west of the river from Baltic Wharf to Wicks/Asda Living, and the area around Maidstone West station including the Broadway Shopping Centre.