New First Stop Member Unveils Customer Friendly Facilities

In a move to better meet the needs of its customers a new addition to the Bridgestone First Stop dealer network has unveiled its recently overhauled facilities. The reception area of Dexel Tyres in Bentley, Doncaster was given the substantial overhaul shortly after signing up, and apparently the changes are already proving to be a hit with customers and staff alike.

The work involved installing a comfortable new seating area for customers, along with television and drinks facilities plus a children’s play area, while the walls were decorated in the First Stop colours of red and grey. Staff at the dealership also benefited, with a new computerised counter area and a brand new office for branch manager Nick Housley. “We’re getting a lot of positive feedback about the refurbishment,” said Stuart Hopkinson, area manager for Dexel Tyres, which operates 12 branches across the region. “The staff enjoy it because of the new equipment that we had installed for them, while the whole experience is a lot more comfortable for our customers.

“An increasing part of our business is coming from women with children, and putting in new seats and refreshment facilities for the mums, along with a play area for their kids, makes it a lot easier for them. Before the refurbishment, the reception just had basic seating and it wasn’t very pleasant. It was badly in need of a change and now it’s been brought into the 21st century, we couldn’t be happier with it.”

Stuart added that business at the Bentley branch had returned to normal after part of the building was affected by the floods that plagued Yorkshire this summer. Being elevated, the newly refurbished reception escaped the deluge, but the garage area suffered some damage that affected custom. “We were lucky because we’re relatively high up,” added Stuart. “In fact, some of the TV crews that came to the area to report on the floods used our reception as a base because we weren’t as badly affected as other people.

“It took us about a month to get back to normal, but now we’re again offering the full range of vehicle services, such as tyres, MOTs and exhausts.”

The refurbishment of the reception area was funded by First Stop’s investment programme, which aims to improve the quality of customer service across its 200-strong network by giving independent dealerships a recognisable ‘brand’ that is trusted all over the world.

Don Anobile, key account manager for Bridgestone UK, said: “Dexel Tyres is a valued member of the First Stop network and investing in their premises is our way of acknowledging that. The Bentley branch now has a smart new look that reflects its commitment to providing the highest standards of customer care, while benefiting from the support of Bridgestone, the world’s biggest tyre manufacturer.” Mark Fereday, Bridgestone’s retail development manager, added: “It is our aim to support all our First Stop dealers however we can, and this is one way in which we can help to make a difference.”