Auction house abandons plans to move

The company, which has been based in Lewes since 1944, will stay at North Street and Garden Street and carry out a six-figure refurbishment of both buildings.

Gorringes had gained planning permission to build a new headquarters at Overs Farm, Cooksbridge.

Clifford Lansberry, a partner at Gorringes, said: 'We applied for planning permission almost two years ago and were granted permission.

'But things haven't worked out with those plans and given the current economic climate we feel the best way forward is to stay in Lewes and to improve our premises.'

The company employs 35 people, the majority of whom live in Lewes.

Managers at Gorringes had previously said they needed to move away from the town to escape the hugely unpopular parking scheme which they said had damaged business.

Mr Lansberry said: 'One of the big reasons for moving was the parking situation and effect of the NCP wardens.

'It has probably lost us a lot of business but I think people have found other places to park and we've had a good reaction from our customers since we've decided to stay.'