A SITE in Chelmsford that has been the home of car auctions will stay that way.

Chelmsford Council which owned the land in Colchester Road - known as Chelmsford Car Auction - has sold it to the company that runs the auctions.

The council’s cabinet agreed the freehold sale to Aston Barclay, the parent companty of Chelmsford Car Auctions.

The auctions has been a significant business in the borough for many years, having initially been located in Victoria Road. It moved to Drovers Way in 1989 before moving to its present site on the opposite side of the road in 2005.

Leader of the council Roy Whitehead, said: “We have been exploring options with the Car Auctions for other sites in the borough for many years and we are delighted to have finally agreed a solution that we are both pleased with.

Managing director of Chelmsford Car Auctions Les Scarborough, said: “We are delighted that, after many years searching for an alternative site, we have been able to make substantive progress towards securing the future of this long established Chelmsford business and our 80 employees who, through uncertain times, have shown considerable support and loyalty to the company.”