Drive-Through Coffee Shop and Autocentre Planned for Former Hartlepool Dealership...

Former Hartlepool Citroën Dealership Could Create 27 New Jobs

Former Hartlepool Citroën Dealership Could Create 27 New Jobs...

3rd September 2026

A long-vacant former car dealership in Hartlepool could be transformed into a drive-through coffee shop, autocentre and electric vehicle charging station under plans submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council.

Kingscrown Land and Commercial Limited is seeking full planning permission to redevelop the former Citroën dealership at the junction of Usworth Road and Brenda Road, where the site, which previously operated as a car showroom and vehicle repair workshop, has stood vacant since 2020.

Under the proposals, part of the existing building would be demolished and the remaining premises converted into a 524-square-metre autocentre providing MOT testing, vehicle servicing, repairs and tyre fitting.

A separate 167-square-metre drive-through coffee shop would be constructed closer to Brenda Road.

The planning statement says the development could create approximately 27 full- and part-time jobs, although the proposed operators of the two businesses have not been identified.

Parking and EV charging proposed

The autocentre would have 24 parking spaces, while another 36 spaces would serve the coffee shop. Four disabled spaces would be provided across the development, together with cycle parking. Eight high-speed electric vehicle charging bays are also proposed along the Usworth Road frontage.

The site’s two existing vehicle entrances would be replaced by a single upgraded access from Usworth Road, approximately 60 metres from the Brenda Road roundabout. Two new pedestrian access points would be created from Brenda Road.

The drive-through lane would have sufficient space for an estimated 13 to 14 vehicles, together with separate ordering, collection and waiting areas.

Additional traffic assessed

A transport assessment survey submitted with the application estimates that the development would produce 58 additional two-way vehicle journeys during the morning peak and 15 during the evening peak when compared with the site’s previous use.

However, the assessment argues that as many as 85 per cent of journeys to the coffee shop could involve motorists already travelling on surrounding roads who make a short diversion into the site.

It concludes that the development would have a “negligible” effect on the wider highway network. This remains the applicant’s assessment and will be considered by Hartlepool Borough Council as part of the planning process.

The applicant says no collisions have been recorded on Usworth Road during the five-year period examined. Two collisions were recorded on the nearby section of Brenda Road, both classified as slight.

The planning statement argues that the scheme would bring a prominent brownfield site back into use, create employment and improve the appearance of an area which has remained vacant for more than six years.

Its anticipated that a decision on the plans could be reached by council planning officials as early as October 2026...