A MOVE by customers to buying cars online has been a major factor in the decision by Quest Motors to close the Maldon branch after close to a century of trading in the town.

The effects of the pandemic on shopping habits, combined with the advance of digital technology - allowing buyers to remotely inspect vehicles closely inside and out - are among the factors that have led Quest to leave the Maldon showroom in Wycke Hill behind, relocating the whole business to the Braintree branch instead.

The Maldon outlet will close on 31 May.

It was not until 2007 that the company outgrew its Maldon dealership on the High Street and relocated to the current premises, expanding its offering with the Vauxhall and SAAB brands. After the demise of SAAB, the dealership replaced the franchise with Citroen and in 2018, expanded its offering with the Suzuki franchise.

Robin and Martin Gozzett, the owners of Quest Motor Group, said: "The Maldon dealership's relocation was a difficult but necessary decision. We must adapt our business in line with