Partner Article

The Fixer returns to GuideBridge MoT Service Centre

It’s not every day you have a local garage residing in Tameside whose members featured in a BBC2 television documentary, but Guide Bridge MOT and Service Centre just happen to be the stars of the TV screen and have appeared not only once but twice in the last 3 years. How did they manage that? Well…apart from being Pride of Tameside Business of the Year and having a string of accolades under their belts the family run business owned by Derek and Jan Lord have certainly turned their business and lives around since first appearing on ‘The Fixer’ in 2012. Nearly 3 years on and the business has successfully grown and are constantly going from strength to strength. Apart from the inevitable changes to the garage – they now look after and maintain fleets, the family members have also changed beyond recognition. Adam Lord the young mischievous 24 year old back in 2012 is now the Sales Director and takes more pride in his appearance than ever before. A frequent visitor to the local gym Adam’s well-toned physique is a perfect match to his new role that he has embraced with enthusiasm and gusto. In fact he is a charmer in more ways than one and his business sense has been proven with the influx of sales that have elevated the garage to new heights. Eldest son Gareth is content with his role as the steadfast Mechanic, Nicola has embraced her role as General Manager and is now virtually running the operations side of the business single handily. Although she would be the first one to admit she is only doing what comes naturally, anyone who knows Nikki would testify she is tenacious and her leadership and management skills shine through to ensure everything is kept in order – especially ‘the boys’. So second time around and the family were featured on ‘The Fixer’ revisited. A lot has happened to the ‘Lords’ since the original viewing. Jan lost her dear mum to Pancreatic Cancer but true to her word and her mother’s greatest wish she is intent on raising awareness about the terrible disease shortly she will be holding the annual Purple Ball of Hope to raise vital funds for research and she hopes to raise over £7,000 to beat 2014 figure of £6500. Knowing Jan who throws her heart and soul into anything she does – it will be achieved, along with a little help from her army of friends. So there we are… Guide Bridge MOT and Service Centre – soon to become The Guide Bridge Group. New look, new logo, and new roles… The final word from Jan – “All I ever want is for the family to be happy and successful. Both Derek and I are so proud of what we have all achieved. It’s been tough but has it been worth it? Yes …and we would do it all again. It just goes to show what you can achieve if you believe.” And what of the future for the Lord family…. Well, Jan and Derek are taking things a little easier as they slowly exit into semi-retirement , content in knowing that Guide Bridge MOT and Service Centre are in safe hands with their children. A small family garage who all have big hearts and have proven against all the odds they can pick themselves up and go from strength to strength. Have they fixed it – we think they have.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Val Dickinson .