A FARNHAM car dealership has voiced its regret that it has been forced into closing a significant part of the business due to financial difficulties, putting around 40 staff jobs at risk of redundancy. Swain and Jones Jaguar dealership on East Street, now in its centenary year, will be closing its Saab and Chrysler franchises as they have not come up to expectations. Peter Lewis-Jones, managing director of the company, told The Herald that the franchises were no longer viable and that they would now be focusing solely on the Jaguar brand. The land that the doomed showrooms sit on has already been sold to a local developer. "This probably all goes back to when MG Rover went down in '95 and that was a very big part of our business," he said. "We weathered that at the time and didn't make any redundancies but it started off all of the difficulties that we've had since. "Progressively, we've found that the Chrysler and Saab franchises haven't met our expectations and that, coupled with the high cost price we have at the site, made us realise that the business just wasn't viable any more." He described how Jaguar is "the core" of the company's business and has been for many years, leading to much recognition among car dealerships and Jaguar itself. Despite the benefits of concentrating on one brand, and the revenue made from selling the land, Mr Lewis-Jones was upset at the loss of his employees. "We've entered into a consultation period with staff that will be affected by this so nobody has been issued with redundancies as yet. There have been meetings with the staff so we're following all of the processes that are required of us. Swain and Jones have also started a couple of sessions to guide people through interview techniques to help them get another job. "Although there are 40 'at risk', it will be nowhere near that number who leave here without a job to go to." The land opposite the Jaguar showroom has already been sold off to a local developer, although no future planning applications relating to the site have yet been lodged with Waverley. Churchill Retirement Living, a developer which proposed a plan for homes on the site of the Dogflud 'island' last March, haven't bought the land from Swain and Jones but say 65 flats could occupy it. Stuart Perkins, Saab service manager, described the current situation as "a very sad time for all involved" but praised the management of Swain and Jones for their efforts in helping affected staff to find employment elsewhere. "On a personal note, this is a very sad time and I do feel sorry for Peter and Michael as it's probably been one of the hardest things they've ever had to do," he said. "I don't yet have a job to go to, but a lot is being done to help people with their CVs and with interview techniques so I think that they're probably doing everything they can." He said that although it has been upsetting, the news of an imminent closure did not come out of the blue. "I've known for a long time that we probably haven't been meeting budgets and targets so it came as no big surprise that the company is going to close this side of its business." Kathleen Proud, a service adviser for Saab, labelled the closure "a shame" but said most of the staff have already found other employment. "I've been with Swain and Jones for nearly one year so I won't be getting any redundancy money," she explained. "It's very unfortunate but most of us are already sorted out with jobs so it's not all doom and gloom. I've been for an interview and I'm hoping to find out about that soon." She added that jobs in the car sale profession were numerous and finding out about them simple, due to close links between dealerships. "There are plenty of jobs out there and this is quite a close-knit trade, we all know people in other dealerships. "It's a shame as Swain and Jones has been here a long time and I know it's been a hard decision for them to make."