Car dealer devastated to be shutting his firm
CLOSURE OF AUCTIONS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC DRIES UP STOCK
A Well-known Burton car dealership is set to close down after selling motors in the town for 37 years.
Boss Kirpal Singh is “devastated” at having to close Pal Motors, which he built from the ground up.
But he says he has been unable to replace his stock, with the car auctions he bought from closed for nearly 10 months.
The Stretton man, known as “Pal”, said: “I’ve been in the motor trade 45 years and I started the company in Goodman Street, moving to Hawkins Lane in 1998.
“It’s just so sad to see the business go - I’m devastated.
“I’ve spent thousands doing the site up since I bought the land.
“It was completely derelict and I’ve built it from scratch. The main reason we’re closing is the car auctions where we get our stock have been closed due to Covid and we can’t replace our stock.
“They want us to buy cars online, but you don’t quite know what you’re getting when you do that.
“I’m old-school and like to physically see the car and check its mechanics and bodywork before I buy it. I’d advise people not to buy cars online without seeing them first.”
Mr Singh, a married dad of two and grandad of two, said the second-hand car dealership would close at the end of the month.
But he confirmed the business was a one-man operation and there would be no redundancies.
He said: “I also have a buyer for the land and it will continue as a car sales operation after it’s taken over.
“I’d never thought about retiring. I’ve just turned 60 and always worked seven days a week - 60 to 70 hours, minimum.
“Now I’m having to ring round all the utility companies and tell them
I’m closing down. It’s been very emotional.
“So many people know me here. I’ve had customers for 25 years and it’s going to be very sad saying goodbye to them. “Some of their children have now grown up and are also my customers. “I’m going to semi-retire and work on my properties, doing renovations and maintenance. We’ve had to close during full lockdowns but have still had customers in other than at those times.”
I’ve spent thousands doing the site up since I bought the land.
Kirpal Singh