9:57 am, April 12, 2011
MOTORISTS have voted Clive Woolford Motor Engineers as winner of the 2011 Golden Garages competition.
The independent garage based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, has been awarded the top accolade after thousands of motorists voted the firm as the best car service centre in the UK.
Golden Garages is an annual initiative run by automotive industry self-regulator, Motor Codes, as part of its aim to map out a network of trustworthy car service and repair centres across the UK – based largely on direct customer recommendation.
Ian Boskett, the present owner of Clive Woolford Motor Engineers who started out his career with the business as an apprentice in 1978 said: ‘We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, trustworthy, family-run business that our customers can rely on to provide them with value for money and excellent customer service.
‘Winning the Golden Garages competition means so much to us, as it is actually based on the votes and recommendations of our customers – that’s the biggest compliment any business can get. I’d like to thank our customers for voting for us and to all the Clive Woolford team for going the extra mile every day.’
Motor Codes managing director, Chris Mason, said: ‘All of the judges felt that the standard of the competition was very high this year and it was great to see such positive customer feedback.
“However, Clive Woolford stood out for us. As well as exemplary customer service that is truly appreciated by motorists, the business feels like a part of the community. It supports the local churches and theatre, working to keep their support vehicles and minibuses on the road. Plus, it recently ran a workshop evening, teaching sixth formers basic car maintenance.’
The top 10 finalists in this year’s contest, selected from regions across the UK, were independently assessed by the RAC, to monitor quality of service, value for money and overall customer satisfaction, before the Motor Codes judging panel voted for the top performer, based on a detailed submission.
Complementing the Golden Garages competition, Motor Codes runs a garage finder on its website that points people to local garages that subscribe to its customer service guidelines. Each garage has a profile page, complete with ratings generated by customers.
‘It’s this word of mouth recommendation that’s so important’, adds Mason. ‘Our feedback shows us that people will drive some distance to get the service they know and trust or that friends have told them about. Golden Garages will help spread the word about the good guys.’
Golden Garages top 10 2011:
Winner
South West, Clive Woolford Motor Engineers, Tewkesbury – 2011 Winner
Runners-up
East of England, Roy Tolley, Colchester – Citroen
Midlands, Crescent Motoring Services, Burton upon Trent – Independent
North East, Paul Robbie Motor Services, Hexham – Independent
North West, ABP Motorsport, Crewe – Independent
Northern Ireland, SERE Seat, Lisburn – Seat
Scotland, W Livingstone, Uddingston, Glasgow – Seat
South East , Anglo Continental Cars, Bletchley, Milton Keynes – Independent
Wales, A1 Motorcare, Rumney, Cardiff – Independent
Yorkshire, Reynolds of Selby, Selby – Independent
