Plans put forward for new supermarket in Southwater

Plans have been submitted to turn an iconic, long-standing village garage into a new supermarket.
Godfreys of Horsham closed in March. Photo courtesy of GoogleGodfreys of Horsham closed in March. Photo courtesy of Google
Godfreys of Horsham closed in March. Photo courtesy of Google

Godfreys of Horsham, in Southwater, could be about to get a new look as developers bid to turn the former Mazda garage into a new food retail unit.

An application has been submitted to Horsham District Council outlining initial plans for the redevelopment of part of the showroom in Worthing Road which has stood empty for eight months.

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It has not ben confirmed who would be taking over the supermarket but the plans state the petrol station will be retained.

Godfreys had been ever present in the village for more than 40 years, serving motorists from across the district.

It shut up shop in March and the showroom and workshop have remained empty ever since.

The proposals state only part of the showroom will be turned into a supermarket with the rest of the building remaining vacant for possible redevelopment in the future.

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The development is expected to create two full-time and five part-time jobs.

Staff parking will be located behind the building with a customer car park in front. It has not been confirmed how many spaces will be created although the application says around five are currently proposed.

New toilet facilities would also be created and the proposed opening hours would be between 7am and 11pm.

Godfreys was founded by Derek Godfrey in the 1970s and was originally based in the old Prewetts Mill building in Horsham town centre.

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It moved to Southwater in 1982 where it changed into a Mazda dealership and garage.

Duncan Godfrey later took over the business from his father and along with business partner Richard Hemming the pair decided to close the garage after announcing their retirements at the beginning of the year.

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