A GLOBAL automotive company owned by Ford could move in to the former home of a well-known garage and car dealership.

Quick Lane Tire and Autocentre has submitted a planning application relating to the vacant Grimshaw’s garage in Prestwich, previously a Vauxhall dealership.

The company applied to install signs displaying its name on the site.

In August 2016, the country’s biggest tile specialist was granted planning permission to open a branch at the site.

Topps Tiles was set to replace Pentagon Vauxhall Motor Garage which closed some years earlier.

The controversial plans were approved despite objections from residents who were concerned about increased traffic and parking problems in the area.

Staff at the former car dealership were relocated to other branches in Greater Manchester.

Quick Lane has not confirmed any plans for the Prestwich centre but the Bury Times understands that the American-owned company would offer services to all car makes.

Car giant Ford owns the company but has no plans to open a dealership in conjunction with the garage.

It opened a new store at the Arndale Centre in Manchester last summer.

The garage in Bury New Road at junction 17 of the M60, has ties to the town that date back to the 17th century.

It was formally known as Grimshaw’s Vauxhall until November 2013 when the Pentagon Motor Group bought the business when owner and managing director Alan Grimshaw decided to retire.

The earliest recorded Prestwich resident of that name was John Grimshaw, who died in 1671.

One member of the family owned a bicycle shop at the site in Bury New Road, which evolved into the present-day garage.