A Plymouth-based company specialising in campervan conversions and vehicle repairs, has installed and registered a new MOT station on site, with help from asset finance provider, Ignition.

Colebrook Transporters has been established, and thriving, as an expert in campervan conversions and repairs since 2013, and until now has partly outsourced MOT services by providing its own specialist mechanics but hiring a local MOT bay. It is anticipated that the upgraded garage facilities will boost revenue and productivity, and make more MOT appointments available for its growing customer base.

Truro-based Ignition provides financial support to SMEs via commercial loans for specific business purposes, or by financing a wide range of business assets including vehicles, machinery and equipment. It was able to assist Colebrook Transporters with the funding required for the site preparation, the installation of the new MOT station, and its equipment.

The new MOT bay is now fully operational and approved for vehicle classes 4 (standard cars and caravans), 5 (larger vans and minibuses) and 7 (heavier goods vehicles).

According to one of Colebrook Transporters’ three Directors, Jamie Parr, creating the new MOT station was a substantial undertaking which involved organising initial planning approvals, clearing and preparing the site, arranging the extraction of concrete and soil to accommodate the pit, and finally having the MOT bay and equipment fully installed. He comments:

“This has certainly been a significant project for us, but one we have been keen to progress with, due to the clear benefits the MOT station will bring to our business and to our customers.

“Ignition’s support throughout this process has been invaluable. Our contact, Ross, is always on hand and available for phone calls and site visits, and is swift and efficient at organising the paperwork. That personal touch is important to us, and it’s reassuring that he has a good understanding of our business and our requirements.”

Ross Hyde, Relationship Manager at Ignition comments:

“Our relationship with Jamie and the team at Colebrook began in 2017. Since then, we have assisted with a variety of purchases to accelerate the company’s growth.

“I’m particularly delighted to see this latest project go live as it’s a key milestone for Colebrook and will take their services to the next level. I am excited for the future and look forward to collaborating again soon!”

For further information please visit colebrooktransporters.co.uk or get in touch with the team at Ignition here.

Truro-based asset finance provider, Ignition, has helped give a brand-new, independent car service centre a racing start by arranging finance for a company vehicle and essential garage equipment worth £50,000.

The A30 Auto Service Centre opened its doors last week, catering for all MOT, servicing and light repair needs, and specialising in prestige brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover and VW. Centrally located in the Victoria Industrial Estate on the A30, the centre has excellent links to much of Cornwall including St Austell, Bodmin and Truro.

The new business is being launched by Chris Oxley, a well-established figure in Cornwall’s motor trade, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry running franchised dealerships across the county and beyond, including a Mercedes Benz franchise, and more recently a Jaguar Land Rover franchise in Truro.

The new venture comes at a time when car owners are increasingly buying second hand or holding on to their vehicles for longer, a trend fuelled by both the cost-of-living crisis, and uncertainty around the future of petrol and diesel cars versus electric vehicles. According to Chris, this is the perfect time to launch a new, independent venture, offering customers top quality service and expertise at a more competitive price, to help keep their cars in top condition for longer:

“I always dreamed of running my own business, and saw an opportunity to create a one-stop shop for customers’ long-term vehicle needs, offering a premier service at a fraction of the price of the larger franchises.

“I’m fortunate to have found the perfect location for the business, and to have a talented and experienced team of directors and mechanics joining me.”
As well as building a strong team of employees for the new business, Chris sought the expertise of local asset finance provider, Ignition, to ensure a strong financial start. He continues:

“I was advised that it would make financial sense to take out a business loan rather than investing my own savings into the business, as this would ease cash flow and provide more security. Ignition has an excellent reputation for supporting SMEs in Cornwall, so I gave them a call, and they didn’t disappoint. They arranged a competitive finance package quickly and efficiently, providing new equipment and a liveried company vehicle to get us off to the perfect start.”

Ross Hyde, Relationship Manager at Ignition, comments:

“It has been a pleasure to support Chris in the launch of his excellent new business. He and his team have a wealth of experience, and with such a strong customer-focussed ethos, it is sure to be a great success!”