An Ellesmere Port garage has officially opened its new MOT and vehicle repair centre after an impressive period of growth for the business.
Portside Cars has branched out from a single unit in Canal Bridge Enterprise Centre, into a one-stop shop for motorists across the area.
Owners Brendan and Emma Pickering took over Portside Cars in July 2022 and have ‘ploughed everything’ into developing the family-owned business over the past three years.
Brendan said: “It’s a goal that I never thought that we’d get to, but it was always a dream of mine.
“To be able to expand to the size we are now, and to buy a second unit, it’s a great achievement.”
The new garage boasts three MOT test ramps and a further seven repair ramps, allowing mechanics Brendan and Alex to handle vehicles from motorbikes up to Class 7 vans.
The extra space means that the business will be able to continue to serve ordinary customers but will also have capacity for larger jobs.
Emma, who shares office duties with Amy, previously worked as a dental nurse.
She says she was keen to ensure that female customers feel comfortable coming to the garage for help.
Emma said: “I know how intimidating it can be, and you hear stories of garages putting up prices when the customer is a woman.
“I made it my mission that women felt comfortable using the garage and now we have plenty of female customers too.”
Portside Cars has already built a strong reputation in the town, with more than 120 people contributing to its five-star review status.
For the full story, see Chester Standard