POOLE Audi is weeks away from completing its new £14.5million premises.

The dealership is more than 11 months into the 14-month process of creating one of the largest Audi centres in the world on Old Wareham Road.

The road recently re-opened after Poole council finished improving the lighting and widening the route. The council required any developer of the site to contribute to the costs of the work under the Highways Act.

Poole Audi says its centre will offer a luxury experience for customers buying a car or having one serviced.

Service customers will drive into an undercover, climate-controlled facility, and will have the choice of using a premium lounge, an onsite gym or a salon. Alternatively, they can take away a courtesy car without leaving the undercover area.

Those buying a new or used Audi will be able to browse a 24-car showroom displaying the latest in the range, including the Audi Sport and e-tron models. Two “configuration lounges” will bring the entire range to life.

A large used car display will offer a wider choice. Handover of cars will take place in one of three climate-controlled “handover bays”, one of which will include a children’s play area.

Contractors are currently putting finishing touches to the building, including signage, cladding, tiling and installation of the gym equipment. The centre will require 550 data points – compared with the five that would have been needed 20 years ago.

Mark Laming, Poole Audi’s head of business, said: “The centre will be ready a few weeks before opening to ensure all the staff are completely familiarised and settled into the new environment so that customers will continue to receive the highest level of service.

“With a number of exciting product launches throughout 2016, including the all-new A5, Audi’s new small SUV, and product improvements to the A3, A6 and A7 ranges, it will be a memorable year for our customers.”

Poole Audi has existed since 2000 and gave its Ringwood Road site a major refurbishment in 2006. It decided in 2012 that a new site was required.

One hundred staff will be based at the new centre, which will be around four times the size of the current dealership.