Ponteland garage gears up for another national award final
https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/business/ponteland-garage-gears-up-for-another-national-award-final-9284700
A family-run garage in Ponteland is in the running to be named as one of the best in the country.
Meadowfield Auto Centre has secured another major national industry accolade after being named a finalist in the Top Garage Awards.
The independent garage in Ponteland is one of just ten businesses nationwide to reach the final of the four to six employees category, with the final due to take place at Delphi Academy in Warwick on November 14.
The announcement continues an exceptional year for Meadowfield Auto Centre, which has already been named runner-up for best single-site garage at the Automechanika Garage of the Year Awards, and been a finalist for best single-site garage of the year at the Motor Trader Industry Awards.
But Top Garage brings a different type of recognition – taking businesses through a series of stages designed to test their knowledge, processes, business practices and approach to running a modern independent workshop, before culminating in a face-to-face final.
Meadowfield Auto Centre is run by husband and wife Stephen and Ellie Browne and reaching that final reflects the standards that have been developed – looking beyond what customers see from the outside and further into how the garage operates, how decisions are made and how the team continues to develop and improve.
Stephen took over the business in 2016 - where he had first gained his experience in the motor trade.
He saws investment in technician training, diagnostic capability, workshop equipment and technology has been accompanied by a continual focus on customer service and the systems behind the business.
Stephen said: "This means a lot to us because Top Garage looks at the business from a slightly different angle.
“We've been fortunate to receive recognition at several major industry awards, and each one looks at excellence in its own way. Top Garage tests different parts of what we do and gives us another
He added: “For a five-person independent garage in Ponteland to be alongside some of the best businesses in the industry is something I'm immensely proud of.
“We're always looking at what we can improve next, but when different organisations recognise what we're doing, it gives you confidence that you're heading in the right direction.”
By Tom Patterson