A family-run car dealership has closed down after more than half a century in Staffordshire — with the loss of around 15 jobs.

Boston’s of Milford was launched in 1955 as a filling station and cafe on Milford Common. It went on to become one of the borough’s longest-running businesses.

It provided a servicing and repair centre as well as a new car showroom from its base at The Green, opposite the common.

But the business has now closed with long-time owner Derek Boston blaming difficulties to “compete with the big boys.”

Mr Boston, who currently lives in a flat above the dealership, is directing customers with outstanding warranties to Platts of Stoke, which is due to open a new Fiat and Alfa Romeo outlet at Tollgate Industrial Park within a matter of weeks.

The 66-year-old said: “Margins got tighter and tighter and we could no longer compete with the big boys. We employed around 15 at the end and they had to be made redundant.”

The showroom at the site is currently empty and it is not clear what it will be used for. Another part of the site has been taken on by neighbouring haulage firm Nickolls and Son. Boston’s was a Ford dealership between 1963 and 1972, after which it changed to a Chrysler and Talbot franchise. In the 1980s it became a Fiat dealer, which it remained until its closure.

* Derek Boston looks back on his half-century in the car trade in tomorrow’s Express & Star.

By Alex Campbell