Irthlingborough family firm voted Northants Telegraph's Garage of the Year

Owners and staff of a garage that has sold cars to generations of motorists have been celebrating being voted Garage of the Year 2020 by the readers of the Northants Telegraph.

Central Garage Ford, in Station Road, Irthlingborough, came top of the poll to find North Northamptonshire's best loved garage.

The business has been in the Redding family since 1972 when car dealer Jeff Redding went to Irthlingborough to buy a car from a garage but bought the business instead.

Joint directors brothers Andy and Paul were delighted to have won the accolade and paid tribute to their staff and customers.

Andy said: "We've looked after generations of customers and it's important what people say about us so it's really nice the fact that our customers have voted for us.

Paul said:"You've got to offer the right level of service and sell the right cars. We keep standards high and with our second-hand cars we are very selective."

The company currently employs 17 members of staff covering car sales, aftercare, servicing, MOTs and bodyshop repairs.

Andy said: "We've got so many people who been here at the garage for so long that we trust them completely. A lot of the staff have been here for at least 20 years.

"We try to look after them and they are a very good team."

Founder Jeff bought the business went it was in the High Street and had to choose between selling Austin Morris cars or Ford. He went with Ford which his sons sell to this day.

The garage relocated to the Station Road in 2000 the same year that Jeff retired. He died in 2012.

Paul added: "When we see a car with one of our stickers in the back on the motorway or somewhere far from home it makes you feel proud.

"We'd like to thank all of the customers for supporting us over the years and to the staff for their amazing work.

Runner up in the competition was The Islip Garage in Kettering Road Islip with third place Emmets Garage Ltd in Chichele Street Higham Ferrers.