Motoring industry aftermarket’s best hailed at inaugural Workshop Magazine Awards
First Workshop Magazine Awards have praised the motoring industry’s aftermarket leaders during a glitzy ceremony hosted by F1 ace Johnny Herbert
The motoring industry aftermarket’s cream of the crop have been hailed in the inaugural Workshop Magazine Awards.
Presented by ex-Formula One driver Johnny Herbert, the awards praised the sector’s best apprentices, vehicle technicians, independent garages, suppliers and car manufacturers.
The big winner of the evening was Anderson Clark Motor Repairs in Inverness, named Garage of the Year for Scotland and the whole of the UK. The judges found the business excelled in customer service during a series of mystery shopper visits.
Samuel Warren of Eurovans Eastbourne was crowned apprentice of the year, with praise for his hard work, commitment and professionalism — on top of being an excellent technician.
The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Bob Barringer of SMaRT Garage Services, which has branches in Crayford, Woolwich and Lambeth. Barringer was recognised for his work with charity First Step Trust to help provide work experience and employment opportunities for those with mental health problems and other disadvantages.
One of the most coveted prizes handed out on the night was the Lifetime Achievement Award, with winner Terry Gibson receiving a standing ovation. Gibson has spent more than 30 years in the motor industry, with the past five as the head of member services for the Independent Garage Association.
The award for Motor Factor of the Year went to nationwide vehicle parts supplier Euro Car Parts, which has its HQ in Wembley.
Tyre Retailer of the Year went to online service Blackcircles.com, which was founded in 2002 and is based in Peebles.
Workshop equipment company Snap-on, which is headquartered in Kettering, Northamptonshire, took the prize of Equipment Supplier of the Year.
Nigel Spalding of MOT City in Winnersh, Berkshire, was awarded Technician of the Year.
Hailed as Workshop Manager of the Year was Simon Cook of ACC UK Ltd in Farnborough, Hampshire.
Social Media User of the Year was awarded to Redgate Lodge in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Cedar Garage in Worthing, West Sussex, took the prize of Workshop Website of the Year, as well as the crown of Best Customer Care.
The award of Classic Car Restoration Garage of the Year went to AV Classics in Dunstable.
As for Fast-Fit Centre of the Year, that honour was taken by Westgate Tyres, based in Morecambe, Lancashire.
Russell Automotive Centre in Kingsbury, London, was awarded MoT Centre of the Year.
Specialist Garage of the Year went to prestige experts AW Motorsport in Southbourne, West Sussex.
Northern England’s Independent Garage of the Year was Whittles Garage in St Helens, Merseyside, while Southern England’s was named as Field’s Car Centre in Woking, Surrey. S&J Garage took it for Wales, while the Northern Ireland prize went to Toal Truck Services.
James Baggott, founder and publisher of Workshop Magazine, said: “The aftermarket industry is hugely important to the UK economy, generating billions for the Treasury and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
“But it’s also an industry where people matter and make a real difference. In judging the hundreds of nominations for these awards from across the country we’ve heard so many stories about individuals and businesses that go above and beyond on a daily basis.
“The Workshop Awards were created to honour their commitment, hard work and passion.”
