AA Calls Time on Mobile Tyre Fitting Service

At the same time the AA announced that it intends to close all of its 122 Service Centres and form a new business relationship with Nationwide Autocentres. Nationwide plans to take ownership of 50 AA centres, bringing its total to 225. All of these centres would become AA-Approved service providers for AA members and customers, audited by the AA. While a total of 1300 staff are affected by these changes some jobs will be saved as Nationwide intends to take over some 400 of the staff at the 50 sites. Furthermore, the company says it will consider other staff for employment at its established sites. The AA also points out that it is looking to recruit patrols and call handling staff in some locations offering an olive branch to some of the remaining 900 employees service centre, tyre fitting and inspections employees.

“We regret the impact that these intended closures will have on our people, and will make every effort to redeploy as many people as possible elsewhere within the AA and in Nationwide,” says AA chief-executive, Tim Parker. “The AA is the number one in the market for roadside assistance, and our recent rapid growth in membership confirms this. The AA’s commitment to its 15 million members remains unchanged by this announcement.” Mr Parker adds: “We believe this will provide a better service to our members and customers. Currently, with our 122 service centres, we are unable to provide a comprehensive service across the UK. Through this new partnership, more of our members will have closer access to nearly double the number of sites and a service that is audited to AA standards. The AA centres have not been profitable and we believe that the arrangement we are proposing is the best long-term solution for our members and customers.”

The AA says that the announcements it has made are part of a series of changes, which began in January.