Tim will be Speaking at The Garage Hive Blend Conference 2023

Tuesday 22nd August 2023

Tim will be talking about the topic of planning and working with the end game in mind, what decisions you can make earlier in the business to help work towards your exit goal – whenever or whatever that may be!

“We’ve been using the Garage Hive System to run our business Since August 2020. I’m delighted to have been asked to present at The Blend, because the Garage Hive Community represent some of the best independent garages throughout the UK & Ireland.” said Tim. “If you own or run a garage and are keen to find out more about how other garages operate and continuously try to improve, you should really be there!”

About the Blend 2023:

Garage Hive has organised The Blend 2023 on the 7th of October to gather garage owners and key decision-makers of garage businesses in Birmingham to learn about the garage management software and to expand their views on how to manage their business in the best way possible, as well as to network and build connections between each other to exchange experiences and create a supportive community within the automotive industry.

The conference (9.30 am – 5.45 pm) is filled with many sessions delivered by expert speakers like business development and technical training coach John Batten, HR Specialist Jennifer Webb, Andy Crook industry practitioner, Andy Hamilton from Euro Car Parts, Simon Gurney from Castrol and Mark Strain from GSF Car Parts, fellow garage owners Tim Benson, Matt Cleevely, Tom Cocokings, Alex Lindley with Garage Industry Trends and garage management software experts.

There will be an expo area with known brands like The Race Group and Castrol, 1 Tec Auto Hub, GSF Car parts, Pagid, Micheldever, Vostel, Pichler Tools, Autotech Training, Autogem, Diagnostic Connections and AutoIQ.

You can book your tickets here: The Blend | Garage Hive’s Conference

Oldfields Shortlisted for Community Engagement

Thursday 10th August 2023

We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for another awards final, this time for “Community Engagement” as part of the Independent Garage Association BIG Awards 2023. The Independent Garage Association BIG Awards recognising garages, industry suppliers and standout stars from the length and breadth of Britain. Award categories highlight all aspects of running a successful garage business, the BIG Awards have established a new gold standard for the independent garage sector.

Tim will be taking Owen, Oldfields apprentice, to the Awards Evening on September 22nd in Leicester. Tim said “I wanted to give Owen the chance to see what it’s like to mix with other people in the industry that are trying to be the best. These events are always great for socialising and networking on the business side, but hopefully can also create aspiration for the future!”

Owen added “It’s my first chance to go to a Garage Awards Ceremony, I don’t really know what to expect. It will be a good opportunity to see how other high end garages from all over the country do things.”

We didn’t win on this occasion, but congratulations to all the finalists and winners!

To see the full list of finalists or to find out more about the awards follow the link below!

IGA | The BIG Awards | IGA (independentgarageassociation.co.uk)

Pipped to the post in the Final

Thursday 15th June 2023

Tim and most of the team visited Automechanika UK in Birmingham last week, which is the UKs largest Automotive Aftermarket trade show. It was a brilliant few days out of the business that gave us the chance to meet suppliers, automotive experts and share experiences with other leading garages. The event was a huge success and we all got a lot from it.

On Wednesday 7th, Tim was invited by AllData, the leading provider of Manufacturer Technical Data, to join a panel of experts to discuss technical data from a business perspective (we’ll be writing a blog about that later). It was a great opportunity to share knowledge and learn from the other panalist’s. Then, on Wednesday evening, Tim, Katie and Chris put on their glad rags for the IAAF Awards where Oldfields were in the final shortlist for “Garage of the Year.” It was another great evening, even though we were pipped to the post for the win.

Tim said “After reaching the Final in Top Garage last year, we were hoping to go one better in these awards, but we were beaten by a great garage. Getting to the final is a real achievement for the team and all the other garages nominated. The winner was decided by votes and we have heard on good authority that we were close to the eventual winner.” He went on to add “Awards give us a great opportunity to see how we come up against the other leading UK independent garages. It’s the first major awards of the year and we’ll be looking for the elusive win in the other two we have been nominated for later in the Year.”

We have opportunities to join our team

Monday 12th June 2023

We’re looking for two team members to join our team, I’d advise you to take a look at our website and social media to see what we get up to

We use the best management system available, offer great training and development opportunities, have excellent facilities, modern and up to date equipment and we continue to invest to move us forward. We also pay well and have a generous holiday allowance, rising to 33 days inc bank holidays.

Customer / Business Manager

Picture yourself standing on the stage, receiving accolades and applause at a prestigious award ceremony. We envision a long-term, stable career for you within our company, where your growth and achievements are recognized and celebrated. We provide a motivated environment that drives your professional development, allowing you to thrive and rise to the top of your game.

Dan will be leaving to pursue other aims and we’ve taken the opportunity to re-evaluate our needs along with out desire to continue progressing and therefore this is a new role within the business. We are looking for someone to oversee the development of our operation, including customer service, sales and operational aspects of customer delivery to enable us to continue to be recognised industry-wide for our customer experience.

Oldfields Garage is searching for the right person to join our team, and we are committed to designing the job role around the strengths and aspirations of the successful applicant. Whether you have managerial experience or not, we believe in providing opportunities for growth and progression within our company. Our goal is to create a long-term successful career, offering stability, recognition, and success. We are dedicated to supporting your professional development and ensuring that you reach your full potential in a rewarding and fulfilling environment.

MOT Tester / Service Technician

We’re sadly losing Andy from our team due to retirement, and we are looking for a new team member to replace his role within the business. We are looking specifically for an MOT tester or someone who wants to obtain their MOT tester licence and in a position that we can can support you to do this straight away.

Along with modern equipment, the staff facilities and business investments you’d expect from a UK leading independent garage, we offer excellent rates of pay as well as other benefits including a generous holiday allowance rising to 33 days inc bank holidays, training opportunities, staff discounts, monthly BBQ, monthly Chippy Friday, industry outings and being a valued part of our exceptional team.

If you’d like to enquire, or discuss the opportunity please Email your CV and why you think you we shouldn’t miss the opportunity to employ you tim@oldfieldgarage.co.uk

Oldfields Through to National “Garage of the Year” Final

Thursday 27th April 2023

We didn’t pick up the gong this time, but we were absolutely thrilled to have made the final of Automechanika “Garage of the Year 2023” hosted by the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). Automechanika, held at the NEC in Birmingham, is the UKs largest trade event for the Automotive Aftermarket.

“Garage of the Year” is the headline award in the prestigious competition, which recognizes the best garages in the UK, and Oldfields has been selected as one of the top seven garages in the country.

The Automechanika Garage of the Year competition is judged by industry experts, who assess the quality of the garage’s work, customer service, and business practices and then pass it over to the public to vote for the overall winner, with the winner being announced at a special ceremony on 7th June 2023.

Tim Benson, Director of Oldfields Garage Services, expressed his excitement about reaching the final: “We are really chuffed to be named as a finalist for Garage of the Year 2023. It’s a fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to providing the highest quality service to our customers. We pride ourselves on our customer service and attention to detail, and this nomination is a testament to that.” He added that “We’ll be flying the flag for Herefordshire. There are some fantastic garages among our category, we may be smallest in the category but we’ll give it our best shot.”

Oldfields Garage Services has been providing car maintenance and repair services to the Leominster community for over 30 years. With a team of experienced technicians and state-of-the-art equipment, the garage offers a range of services, including MOT testing, servicing, and repairs.

About the awards…
The Garage of the Year award category recognises garages and aftermarket service outlets that have delivered exceptional service over the past twelve months and demonstrate high calibre business acumen to navigate the challenges of operating a thriving business in 2023 and beyond.

This includes proof of awareness and understanding of profit and loss, the difference between gross, operating, and net profit, and why the difference between mark up and margin is important for a business but ultimately delivers value for customers. The recipient of the Garage of the Year award will have demonstrated proficiency and a proactive approach in marketing, social media use and local community outreach.

The Garage of the Year will be identifiable with a team or individual delivering business performance transparency, meetings with suppliers and customers, and implementation of specific corporate governance policies such as complaints procedures, duty of care, and environmental awareness.

Oldfields Agree 3 Year Sponsorship for Luctonians Vixons

Monday 24th April 2023

We’re delighted to announce that we are continuing with our Sponsorship at Luctonians Sports Club, but even more exciting is that we have agreed to be the main sponsors for the Luctonians Vixens for the next three years.

John Amos, Luctonians Sport Club President commented “We are delighted that Oldfields have taken main sponsorship for the Vixens , the number of ladies participating in rugby at the club has trebled in 12 months from 24 to 75 and will continue to grow . With continued support they will no doubt continue to improve as a team and we can look forward to another formidable presence at the club in the future.”

Tim said “It’s been great being part of the LUCS family, we’ve got a real feel for it over the last few years. It’s amazing how much goes on at Mortimer Park and beyond, there is so much more than first team Rugby! We’ve been lucky as a sponsor to see what goes on first hand and being able to support this amazing local community club is a real privilege.”

Tim added “When the opportunity to sponsor the Vixens came up it seemed like a natural progression for us to enhance our support at the club and the Oldfields brand. Women’s Rugby is growing nationally and the ladies have done brilliantly in 2022/23. It’s a real up and coming part of the club and we’re pleased to be able to be part of their journey.”

The Luctonians Vixens compete in the Allianz IWS Midlands Group and you can follow their progress on England Rugby here

The Quickest Way To Book Your Car

Can you put any oil in your car?

Sunday 12th March 2023

Vehicles are complex machines that need proper lubrication to work efficiently and avoid wear and tear. Engine oil is a crucial part of this system, but with so many types available, it can be hard to choose the right one. Castrol oil is a trusted brand that’s been around for over 120 years. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of using the right Castrol oil in a car or van.

Protects the Engine: The right Castrol oil protects your engine from wear and tear by reducing friction and heat build-up in the engine. This is especially important in high-performance engines that generate more heat.
Better Fuel Efficiency: Castrol oil is formulated to reduce friction and improve fuel efficiency. This can save you money on gas and reduce your carbon footprint.
Longer Engine Life: Castrol oil provides long-lasting protection to prevent premature engine wear and extend the life of your vehicle.
Compatibility: Castrol oil is formulated to meet the specifications of different engines and vehicles, so you can find the right type for your car or van, whether it’s gasoline or diesel-powered.
Improved Performance: Castrol oil is designed to maintain its performance under extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and heavy loads. This can improve your engine’s overall performance, making it run smoother, accelerate faster, and handle better.

Using the right Castrol oil is crucial for maintaining your car or van’s health and longevity. It can also improve fuel efficiency, prevent premature engine wear, and enhance overall performance. Always consult your vehicle owner’s manual or a qualified mechanic to find the right Castrol oil for your vehicle.

The Quickest Way To Book Your Car

Christmas Message from Tim & Christmas Shut Down

Monday 12th December 2022

I’d like to start by saying a huge thank you to all of our staff for their effort again this year. It’s been another challenging year for the UK and beyond, but our team continue to work hard for Oldfields to help us keep our customers safe and on the road. Our annual Christmas Shut Down will again give everyone a chance to recharge their batteries, spending some time with family and friends.

It’s been another great year for the Oldfields, which has seen us reach the final 4 in our category in the National Competition for “Top Garage 2022” in our first year of being nominated. We’ve made a lot of improvements to the business internally and getting to the Top Garage Final helped to demonstrate the impact of these improvements. We’ve also been selected to join the Castrol Service Network, worked with many automotive trade publications on best practice and also started Servicing Electric & Hybrid Vehicles to ensure we can continue to care for our customers in the future.

THIS YEAR’S CHRISTMAS CHARITY

Earlier in the Year, I, along with some friends raised some money for Macmillan Cancer Support for the Wye Valley Mighty Hike and this year I’ve chosen to support that cause for Xmas instead of sending Christmas Cards. We’ve also donated to and supported many excellent other local causes this year, which you can find out about here.

I’d like to finish by thanking all of our customers for their continued support, and on behalf of the Oldfields Team I send best wishes for the Christmas period. We look forward to taking care of your vehicles in the New Year.

Best wishes, Tim

CHRISTMAS SHUT DOWN

The office, workshop and vehicle hire will be closed for our Christmas shut down from Friday 23rd December, reopening on Tuesday 3rd January at 8:30am. Our last booking day is Thursday 22nd December.