Fife-based D&G Autocare has expanded further by launching an 18th garage in Carlisle, its first opening since the coronavirus pandemic and first outlet in England.
D&G Autocare has been expanding steadily since it was established in Fife more than 20 years ago, with approximately one new garage a year being opened since then.
The independent group expanded to cover locations in Edinburgh, West Lothian, Perth, Stirling and Tayside, before moving over to the west of Scotland, with garages in Airdrie, East Kilbride and Rutherglen. It said: “Only the pandemic put paid to the business’s original expansion plan to have a 20-garage UK network in 20 years.”
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Pete Wood, operations director for D&G Autocare, said: “Establishing here in Carlisle is our first garage opening since the pandemic. As such, it’s hugely significant to us, proving that we are back on track with our ambitious expansion plans, but also because it’s our first garage south of the Border.”
Situated at Durranhill industrial estate in Carlisle, the new garage, headed up by experienced mechanic and garage manager, Shaun Clelland, is already employing four local mechanics.
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The independent garage group said: “More recruitment is likely in the next six months, when two apprentice mechanics will be sought to join D&G Autocare’s thriving apprenticeship scheme.”
Mr Wood said: “Shaun, who is one of our most experienced managers, was previously heading up our garage in Rutherglen, but decided to move his family to the Borders.
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“We didn’t want to lose him in the business, and so looked for a solution, knowing that where he was now living potentially opened up the south-west of Scotland, and indeed Cumbria and the north-west of England to us, as new territory in which to expand.”
Each new garage set up by D&G Autocare costs around £100,000 to equip and open.
Mr Clelland said: “I am really enjoying the challenge of establishing this new garage, and am delighted to say that we are already starting to make a name for ourselves in the local Cumbrian marketplace as a quality independent.
“For us, it’s all about bedding into the local community - that’s where our friendly garage group excels.”
D&G Carlisle offers a full range of autocare services, including full servicing, MOT’s, garage repairs, and wheel alignment, together with the fitting of tyres, exhausts, brakes, suspensions, timing belts, clutches and batteries.
Mr Wood said: “It was a no-brainer to decide to set up here, as [we] loved the location, and knew the garage would be in very safe hands under Shaun’s expert guidance.
“We are never daunted when we move into a new area, as we have every confidence in our managers, in the industry-leading products that we use and, ultimately, in our ‘friendly garage’ brand which gives the very best customer service possible.”
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