VARIETY AND VALUE
As Bowker Ribble Valley approaches its sixth anniversary, Matthew Parkinson asks how one garage manages to sell and service such a wide range of cars. Photography: Paul Currie
If you live in the North West, you’ve probably heard of Bowker. Whether it’s the BMW or MINI Centres located between Preston and Blackburn, or its loud, proud Harley-Davidson showroom, the group is a Lancashire powerhouse. Each arm of the business deals with one marque, so they can provide specialist knowledge, service and savings on to their customers.
The Ribble Valley site bucks the trend somewhat. Located in Osbaldeston at Bay Horse Garage on the A59, the dealership is an oasis of exotic machinery that belies its distinctly Lancastrian location. A quick look at the stock reveals there’s no one marque that gets entirely its own way, with the variety of cars in the showroom and workshop reading a lot like the cards in a pack of ‘Top Trumps’. From Fiats to Ferraris and Audis to Alfa Romeos, they’re all for sale. What’s more, whether you walk in as a customer looking to spend £9,000 or £90,000, you’ll be glad to know that every car receives the same, sympathetic care and attention from their multi-skilled team of sales executives and technicians.
The variety of cars on offer would make it a challenge for other independent garages to take on so many different shapes and sizes of cars and engines, but Bowker Ribble Valley’s technicians are factory trained and ATA qualified to do just that. Twin this with tools and diagnostic equipment that are constantly upgraded to keep up with advances in automotive technology, and Bowker Ribble Valley is able to punch way above its weight, even offering buyers a six month warranty as standard, whatever car they drive away in.
Those who stop for a closer look at the cars on offer are likely to stay for the service, stepping through the dealership’s doors to be greeted with a warm welcome and an experience that’s typical of the standards you’d expect from any of Bowker Motor Group’s other franchises across the North West.
Walk across the pristine white tiles to the soft leather chairs, log on to the complimentary wi-fi and help yourself to as much tea and coffee as you can guzzle down while you wait for a routine service or weigh up a new addition to the family fleet. Maybe you’re sitting there now, reading this very magazine? Nice, isn’t it?
Nicer still is the reassurance that just because Bowker Ribble Valley offers up supercar stock, you’ll not be forking out Porsche prices if your Toyota needs new tyres, for example. Bowker Ribble Valley’s pricing is refreshingly down to earth, without any pressure to sign on the dotted line the moment you walk through the door. Headed up by aftersales manager, Richard Rawlings, the team also offers free and friendly advice on car maintenance or mechanical faults. All you need to do is pop in and ask.
If your schedule means making the trip yourself could be tricky, worry not. Bowker Ribble Valley offer a free local collection and delivery service. What’s more, your car will arrive home looking as good as it drives, with Bowker Ribble Valley providing a complimentary wash and vacuum with any service, MOT or repair work. Perhaps you want to do your research before you make a booking? You can also check the price of your car’s next service and book online 24/7 at www.bowkerribblevalley.co.uk.
Bowker Ribble Valley’s pricing comes down to common sense. The team may be dyed-in-the-wool petrol heads, but there’s certainly no sense of badge snobbery here. Quite rightly, Bowker Ribble Valley believe that just because you might pay less for servicing or parts, doesn’t mean you deserve a lesser quality of service. Whatever car you own, and whatever the problem is, the friendly team will aim to have you back on the road as quickly and as inexpensively as possible.
Bowker Ribble Valley
Bay Horse Garage
Longsight Road
Osbaldeston BB2 7HX
01254 769069
www.bowkerribblevalley.co.uk
