Young couple take helm at Cannock repair business after years searching for a trusted motorhome repairer

A young Staffordshire couple who struggled for years to find a motorhome body repairer good enough for their own work have solved the problem by buying one themselves.

Lewis Grimley, aged 31, and his partner Natalie Moore took over motorhome, campervan and caravan body repair specialist Cannock Resprays in February this year.

The established business has been working from the centre of Cannock for more than 35 years.

Lewis had worked previously in the motorhome trade, where finding consistently high-quality bodywork was a recurring problem.

He said: “Being in the industry ourselves, we always found it hard to find good body repairs on motorhomes.

“Using over 10 companies previously, we never found someone with the attention to detail that Cannock Resprays had.

“Once we knew the company was available, it was an immediate yes and we never looked back.”

Cannock Resprays began as a car body repairer, earning a strong reputation with local car dealers who trusted it with their vehicles.

Its direction changed when the previous owner bought a damaged motorhome that no one else wanted. He repaired it, spotted a gap in the market and gradually steered the business towards becoming a dedicated motorhome body repair specialist.

The standard of the work soon caught the attention of local main dealers, who began sending their own repairs to the Cannock workshop.

Lewis brings a different kind of experience to that legacy.

He started at a family business selling motorhomes at the age of 16, working as a valeter before moving through transport, sales and aftersales and eventually becoming general manager.

Fifteen years on, he has built relationships across almost every part of the industry, from importing agents and manufacturers to dealers, distributors, suppliers and marketing teams.

“I learnt every part of the business,” he said.

“Many of the people I’ve worked with will call upon me for advice, favours and help when needed.

“I’ve always been someone who loves to solve a problem, which is why my relationships within the industry are strong.”

Taking on a business with decades of reputation behind it brought its own pressure though.

Lewis said: “The first few months we had a lot to learn.

“We had a two to three month wait to get into the workshop, and now we have a four to five month wait.

“It shows we are securing more customers than ever, whilst still maintaining our usual high standards.”

The growing demand has given the couple chance to think about the next stage.

“A four to five month wait means we now have the opportunity to look at expanding our team,” Lewis said.

Longer term, their plans include a larger team, bigger premises and, eventually, what Lewis describes as an industry-leading workshop.

“We are a long time away from this, but we have high ambitions and goals,” he said.

“As a young family, we have the time, determination and backing to get where we believe we can get to.

“The future of Cannock Resprays is bright.”