BORDON’S Jet garage should be up and running again around Christmas time, having been demolished for an extensive refurbishment.

Some residents feared the worst when boards went up and the building came down but a spokesman from those behind the project confirmed that improvements were just months away, although “ruled by the weather”.

After opening in 1984, the owner said last month that it was time for “a new look”. The Garner Group owns and operates two petrol service stations in Bordon and previously explored relocating to the new relief road, which will become the main north-south route for through traffic.

Concerns were raised about the new road’s impact on trade but, after East Hampshire District Council planning officers objected to the proposed move, the owner found another spot. But the Ministry of Defence is said to have told the Garner Group that it did not want to sacrifice any land allocated for housing, so that site too was deemed unviable. As such, the garage decided to stay put.

The garage employs 13 local people in full and part-time roles and a further four people in support and management.

The planning application for refurbishment works states that, although it is difficult to predict precise numbers, based on a similar project in Cosham, which requires 26 employees, it is “reasonable to predict the business will create at least 10 new full and part-time jobs”.