New lease of life for established Stratford garage

A Stratford business which has existed for more than 60 years is turning over a new leaf.

Jonathan Turner, 34, has bought well-known automotive repair shop Dicksons Service Centre after the retirement of Sharyn and Ray Watson, who owned the business for more than for more than 50 years.

Jonathan says buying the business was a natural step after having worked there for nine years fixing cars, changing tyres and doing wheel alignments.

“We pretty much do everything automotive related including trailer hire.”

He took the business over as he was familiar with it and it ensured all of the staff stayed — six people including himself as well as manager Peter Martin, who has worked at the business for nearly 40 years.

Jonathan lives with his partner Rachel and children Quinn, 7, and Layla, 5, and is a Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade station officer, having been a member of the brigade for 16 years.

He enjoys the trade and especially the “old-school service mentality” where customers get to speak directly to mechanics instead of dealing with desk staff. He says it is a busy workshop with a large client base and he is excited about the new opportunity.

“There’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to take the business over really — it has really good foundations.”

Sharyn, who previously ran the business with her husband Ray, says she wishes Jonathan well.

“It is particularly pleasing to know that the business is passing to someone who has been part of the business for nine years and importantly that the same team of enthusiastic and very capable mechanics and office personal will be continuing employees.

She says she and Ray had greatly valued the relationships they had made with customers and will miss seeing so many wonderful people.

“Thank you for your patronage over the years.”