Servicesure to start search for new ‘Autocentre of the Year’

National garage network Servicesure will start the search for the 2019 ‘Autocentre of the Year’ in November, after this year’s winner gained publicity afterwards leading to a ‘ridiculous amount of new work’.

The debut 2018 event drew tremendous interest from the garage network and the plan is to hold a ‘bigger and better’ dinner and awards ceremony in April 2019, with the winner being announced live on the night. Shortlisted garages will once again all be invited to attend.

Last year’s four finalists Anderson Clark Motor Repairs Ltd, Blair Atholl Garage, Courtwood Car and eventual winner Moduron GP Motors from Cyf in Caernarfon all attended 2018’s dinner at Nuthurst Grange in Hockley Heath, Warwickshire, along with senior members of The Parts Alliance including group managing director Jonny West.

Derek Crighton, Director at Blair Atholl Garage, summed up the delight of making the final saying: “The whole team is over the moon. It’s rewarding to see all the hard work recognised nationally. It gives us even more reason to be better.”

Winner Gavin Parry, Director of Moduron GP Motors said: “It’s really put our garage on the map.

“We wanted to show how good independent garages can be; we continually invest in skills and training.

“It was a massive surprise to win, every invoice since has a badge to show the award.”

GP Motors achieved notable publicity too. Having been featured in the Daily Post newspaper, they were subsequently contacted by Heno, a prominent evening magazine television programme on Welsh channel S4C. Heno visited and featured the business in an extended film piece generating a huge number of enquiries.

‘Autocentre of the Year’ is intended to highlight the many local examples of excellence making Servicesure the UK’s leading national network of quality independent garages.

Servicesure garages can enter simply by sending a short video explaining why they deserve to be Autocentre of the Year 2019 before the end of December. Garages are invited to consider all aspects of their business when crafting entries to demonstrate ‘best practice in action’ – from the reception to the ramp.

“The competition enables us to really showcase and celebrate the numerous examples of great service the network provides throughout the UK,” said Paul Dineen, Head of Garage Programmes at The Parts Alliance. “There’s opportunity to focus entries on great customer service, investment in skills, new equipment or work within the community; all we know for certain is it’s going to be keenly contested once again!”

The 2019 awards will be sponsored by Servicesure partners including Auto Service Finance, Autotech Recruit, Garage Services Online, OurVirtualAcademy.com and Slicker Recycling. The Motor Ombudsman will also be sponsoring a new ‘extra mile’ customer service award.