First Stop unveils ‘most advanced’ centre in Weston-super-Mare

First Stop Weston-super-Mare is ‘a flagship store for us in so many ways,’ according to network manager Mark Widdows

First Stop has unveiled its “most advanced automotive centre” in Weston-super-Mare. The state-of-the-art depot in Aisecome Way offers a broad range of services, including tyre replacements, alignment, fixed-price servicing and an MOT bay fully equipped for cars, vans and motorcycles. Centre manager Dan Radford and his three colleagues are all from the local area. They say it is a “privilege to work” at the centre with its “second-to-none” facilities.

Radford says: “We’ve had motorists pulling in to say how amazing the place looks, which is great to hear. Our reputation around the area has grown massively in such a short space of time and I can’t believe how big our customer base is already.”

First Stop UK retail network manager Mark Widdows said: “Our Weston-super-Mare depot has raised the bar in terms of automotive retail. It’s a flagship store for us in so many ways.

“The facilities are second-to-none, we have a fantastic team in place and we’re confident that when motorists visit us, there’ll keep coming back for years to come. Early feedback has been universally positive, which is testament to the hard work of everyone involved.”

First Stop Weston-super-Mare

First Stop Weston-super-Mare has a bright, spacious upstairs reception area, where customers can log in for free WiFi and work from a dedicated bay while they wait. It is also the company’s first depot to use digital poster frames and TV screens to display messages from First Stop, Bridgestone and Firestone. It also has a retail space for car and motorcycle products.

Having spent four years in The Rifles infantry regiment of the British Army, Radford said that he would apply his military experience to the new branch. “Spending time in the army has definitely given me a sharp attention for detail. Everything we do has to be faultless and this was something that was drummed into me at an early age.

“I gained more skills, more confidence and am a better person for my experiences in the army, and I want this to be reflected in everything I do at First Stop.”

Radford added that after travelling the world – including Estonia, Canada and Sweden – he is glad to be back home in a town he knows better than any other.

“It is great to work in Weston as I love the place and grew up here. The whole team is local and we know what we need to do to keep motorists coming back to us.

“This is the challenge, as we’re a brand new centre and have had to build our customer base from scratch. When we see the same faces coming back to us in a few months’ time then we’ll know we’re doing a good job. But from first impressions, I’ve got a really good feeling about the future here.”

First Stop aims to expand its network to 220 centres nationwide by 2024. It says it is seeking to attract ambitious independent businesses to achieve this goal.