HiQ Banbury Gets £60,000 Face Lift

HiQ’s Banbury centre has invested £60,000 in a refurbishment programme. The Oxfordshire centre is the first of the franchise network’s 150 stores to boast British Touring Car Championship branding, to coincide with the company’s official sponsorship of Britain’s premier motor racing series.

HiQ is the official sponsor of the British Touring Car Championship and the Banbury centre will aim to bring the excitement and passion of the motor racing series onto its forecourt. The new Banbury concept has been developed on the back of an 18 month study looking at consumer attitudes to fast fit services.

Centre owner Phil Godfrey said: “Our research highlighted what the industry has suspected for a long time. On the whole customers find visiting a fast fit outlet to be a negative experience for several reasons: centres are seen as dirty, unwelcoming and confusing; staff are either unhelpful or speak in technical jargon; prices are unclear with quotes invariably increasing once a job has been carried out and customers feel they have no control over appointment times, waiting times or choice of product.”

The centre now utilises the following features: Clearly signed forecourt and parking area; A modern, reception area; Menu boards with all pricing clearly identified; Tea and coffee making facilities to all customers; Plasma screen TVs and up to date reading materials; Information clearly displayed and written in jargon free language.