Premium used car dealership Crowther Lodge Motor Company is preparing to transfer its operations from Gateshead to Durham as part of a move that would create 35 jobs.

The Audi, BMW and Porsche specialist is currently located on Gateshead's Park Road but has now submitted plans for a vacant office building on Spectrum Business Park, Business Insider reported.

A 904sq-ft reception area and 20,500sq-ft office area currently make up the office building, but this is expected to be divide4d into two showrooms with the 155-space car park to be used as a dedicated external sales area.

Business Insider reported that Crowther Lodge expects to expand the size of its workforce from 15 to about 50 if its expansion plans are realised.

In a planning statement submitted as part of the application Gradon Architecture, which has submitted plans on Crowther Lodge’s behalf, said: "It is considered that while the proposal is a departure from the original proposed use of the business park, the proposed use is not incongruous with the context of surrounding business.

"This, in conjunction with the predicted employment opportunities, indicates that this proposal should be considered advantageous to the local area and therefore acceptable.”