MP Ellie Chowns visits Oldfields Garage

We recently welcomed Herefordshire Green MP Ellie Chowns to our workshop, having won several prestigious industry and local awards over the past year.

Ellie Chowns MP said: “I visited Oldfields as part of Small Business Saturday, a programme of visits to celebrate and support local enterprises. Independent businesses like Oldfields Garage are vital to fostering a thriving community, and I was proud to meet Tim to discuss the achievement of the garage and his concerns for the industry.

“Oldfields Garage has built an excellent reputation in Leominster, and in recent months, they’ve been honoured with several awards, including Apprentice Employer of the Year. They’ve also made headlines for having the youngest EV-qualified apprentice in the country. These are achievements that truly deserve recognition.”

During the visit, Tim raised some key concerns facing the wider automotive industry. One important issue was the outdated MOT test fee, which has remained unchanged since 2010 despite rising costs for garages.

He also highlighted the need for formal industry regulation to improve safety and quality, much like the Gas Safe Register for gas engineers. Currently, anyone with the finances can open a garage and work on vehicles without proper qualifications, leading to inconsistent work and potential safety risks for customers.

Additionally, Mr Benson discussed the ongoing challenge of attracting young talent to the automotive sector, which is hindered by outdated perceptions and a lack of vocational training in schools. He emphasised the importance of reshaping how the industry is viewed and promoting apprenticeships to address the skills gap and ensure the future of high-quality, sustainable automotive services.

“We are proud to be part of this community and grateful to Ellie Chowns for taking the time to listen to the issues that are impacting the automotive sector,” said Tim. “Independent garages like ours are crucial to the local economy, but we face significant challenges that threaten our long-term sustainability. It was great to have the opportunity to highlight these concerns.”