Basingstoke Observer Newspaper

Visitors to the upper levels of the centre in the pas two weeks will have seen a range of cars on display at the new Martins Renault shop, thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.  The store, which was officially opened by Basingstoke mayor David Leeks on Thursday evening, allows shoppers to browse through a range of merchandise, see the cars themselves or even book a service.

And if they have time on their hands, the firm will arrange for a model to be driven to the centre so they can take it for a test drive.  What drew the crowds on Thursday, however, was the gleaming black Lotus Renault Formula 1 car the store had on display outside its unit, opposite Starbucks, with experts on hand to talk about it.

Visitors took turns to have their photo taken with the machine, capable of speeds of up to 230mph, which was raced by Fernando Alonso and driven by Robert Kubica in testing over the past two years.  Dealer principal Sarah Martin said: "It's been very busy, a lot of people want to come and see this beautiful car, which will be in here periodically over the next six months.

"We've worked really closely with Festival Place for the last three years and they approached us about the idea.  We'd never thought about having a shop, but its quite brilliant.  If you're out shopping with your husband or wife, they can wander in here and there's no pressure, it's not like a show room, they can just come in for a browse."

Martins Renault, which has branches in Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover, has taken on three new members of staff to run the store, which is open six days a week and shut on Mondays.  Basingstoke mayor David Leeks described the store opening as "fantastic".

"This is first class," said Councillor Leeks.  "People are able to come and have a look around the cars and, dare I say it, its somewhere for the husbands to come."

On the day of the opening, customers were entered into a prize draw to win a range of Formula 1-related merchandise.