A FAMILY-RUN business is to close after nearly three decades to make way for a new road.

The owners of Warsash Motors have decided to shut up shop next month after giving up on a battle against the Western Wards Distributor Road being built through their premises in Warsash Road, Warsash.

Mick Lodge, who opened the business in May 1977, his wife Jill and son Steven will be among ten staff who will lose their jobs.

Mr Lodge, from Park Gate, who is in his late 50s, took the decision to retire from the firm, which carries out general repairs, MoTs, servicing and repairs.

He said: "I'm just fed up with fighting. It just seemed to be going on and on and on.

"I've put a lot of time, energy and money into fighting it with public meetings and all sorts of things over the years as I believe it's a road to nowhere really and will only really serve an estate of about 150 houses.

"It's a waste of time, but they've been after buying the business for so long they can have it.

"We've also had staff off on long-term sick and things are just getting more and more difficult."

A letter has been sent out to 650 customers on the company's database telling them of the closure, which is planned to go ahead on February 25.

The road will be the final part of the Western Wards Distributor Road between Warsash Road and Dibles Road, linking through the land currently occupied by Warsash Motors.

Hampshire County Council spokesman Sarette Martin said investigative work would start on the site in March, but the road itself is expected to take several years to complete.