Classic Team Lotus given go-ahead for new race shop

[Coupe]

Norfolk newspaper:

An iconic sports car brand will accelerate its growth plans after councillors gave the green light to a workshop expansion.

Classic Team Lotus? vision to replace its Potash Lane workshop in Hethel with a new facility close to the existing site was unanimously backed by South Norfolk Council?s planning committee.

Clive Chapman, son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman and managing director of Classic Team Lotus, said: ?The existing workshop has held back the company. Recently we have turned away customers for the want of better space and premises.?

He said that since its inception in 1992 the company had grown to 14 full-time employees, with a six-car transporter and a workshop of 6,000 sq ft. The new race shop will house historic Lotus cars.

At yesterday?s meeting, Nigel Legg, South Norfolk councillor for the area, said: ?I fully support what has been said here today - Classic Team Lotus do need new accommodation.?

Joe Mooney, planning committee chairman, said: ?I think we are very fortunate to have this business in our area.?

[Certified Lotus]

I've been to the original shop twice. It is crowded and packed with cars. Amazing how simple it all looks, not at all like modern F1 shops. You could feel the history of the place seeping off the walls. I was lucky enough to have Bob Dance there at the same time and having him give some commentary while looking over the cars was very special. We had dinner later that evening with many stories of his career with Lotus.

It's great to hear they can expand and keep the original heritage alive into the next century! I just hope the old shop never gets touched or modified!

[richardcox_lotus]

The new shop is intended to be on the lawn area by the gravel car park bit next to the current site, so I expect this to be a supplement site rather than a replacement