Motor business has new owners behind the wheel
A family-owned motor business is getting into gear for the future with new owners in the driving seat.
Town Centre Automobiles – which has been trading in the city for 45 years – has been acquired by the Sherwoods Motor Group.
Town Centre Automobiles dates back to December 1977 – opening with showroom in Villiers Street, and originally called Town Centre Garage Ltd – the business was founded by Sunderlandborn brothers, Stephen and Philip Smith, and started out with just three employees.
Today it employs 26 staff and the “Town Centre” part of the name will live on because of the local strength of the brand, with the business now called Sherwoods Town Centre.
Sherwoods is also a family-owned business.
Managing director, Simon MacConachie, said: “Town Centre Automobiles is a fantastic family-owned business of great pedigree, so we are thrilled to be able to bring it into the Sherwoods fold.
“The family business culture is a natural fit for Sherwoods because both companies pride themselves on being a great place to work and providing the highest levels of customer service.”
He added: “The opportunity to grow our partnership with Citroen UK was a no-brainer, and keeping the name was key for us because it is a hugely trusted local brand, built over more than four decades.”
He paid tribute to founder Stephen Smith, describing him as a “stalwart of the brand for many years” and thanking him for his support throughout the acquisition process.
Mr Smith said: “Town Centre Automobiles has always adapted and evolved in order to grow and thrive over the years.
“The sale to Sherwoods Motor Group ensures that Town Centre can go on to face the coming challenges with agency models, electrification and suchlike, with confidence.
“Sherwoods were an ideal purchaser for me personally because of their family business culture, and their values being very much in line with our own.”
With Town Centre Automobiles staff, Sherwoods now employs 161 people in the North East