Top Garage 2022 Finalists!

Tuesday 20th September 2022

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We’re absolutely thrilled to have made it through to the Live finals of Top Garage 2022. Top Garage is seen as one of the “Big One’s” in the industry and making the shortlist from the thousands of garages throughout the UK is a real accolade. We regularly receive excellent customer feedback from our daily feedback request through our management system, but to receive recognition from the industry is the cherry on the top.

The finals will see Oldfields Director Tim grilled by 2 industry experts on 1st October at Delphi Technologies Training Centre in Warwick to find out how we operate, what are our plans and why we think we should be considered to be the “Top Garage” in our category.

Tim said “we’re over the moon to be flying the flag for Herefordshire among a whole host of amazing garages from the length and breadth of the UK. We try really hard to provide excellent service levels and continue to develop our business with our aim of being the best independent garage in the area. None of this would be possible without our excellent team. Our customers will know Dan and Katie on our customer service side but behind the scenes Kevin, Andy, Sam, Chris and Joe in our workshop help ensure we continue to offer a high quality service”. Tim paid special mention to “Mum and Dad” adding “Oldfields wouldn’t be here if Mum and Dad [Paul and Cheryl Benson] wouldn’t have started us on our journey 30 plus years ago. I know they are proud of what we have achieved and I hope to continue making them proud in the future.”

To view all the finalists, visit Top Garage 2022 finalists announced – Aftermarketonline.net

Another year of Oldfields in the Community

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Over the last 12 months, we’re fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to contribute and support the local community of Leominster and surrounding villages along with other worthwhile causes. We thought we’d use this blog as a chance to highlight some of the things we’ve been doing this year  as a little round up post! We’ve provided links where possible so you can find out more and also support some of these causes if you are able.

Let’s start with Leominster in Bloom. We’ve supported Leominster in bloom for many years and this year we’ve extended what we do by increasing our support this year to represent both Oldfields and Oldfields Hire. The Leominster in Bloom team do an amazing job in helping the local town look fantastic. You’ll see we have two planters in Corn Square and Broad street. Leominster in Bloom is a voluntary organisation and you can find out more about their Gold Medal awards and activities here…

At Christmas we always chose to support a local cause with a donation. Leominster Family Christmas event “Through the Wardrobe” is a much loved free event for local people that is funded by the Town Council. They needed to get equipment to enable the event to be even more magical for Leominster families at Christmas and we were able to contribute to the event by donating a van for two days to collect and return the specialist lighting equipment.

There are Food Banks throughout the whole of the UK and Leominster Food Bank provides a vital service to the local community and this is likely to increase in the current climate. We’ve been delighted to help them by providing vans to collect goods when needed along with some food donations. This year we also provided a fuel contribution when aid was taken to the people of the Ukraine.

We continue to support Luctonians Rugby Club again this year. Whilst the first XV take all the glory in National League 2 West, it was the work in the community that convinced Tim, Oldfields should be aligned. LUCS run multiple sports teams and programmes where they go into schools in the local area to provide coaching and various other activities. Luctonians is a real community club and it fits well with how we feel about the area. You can see the local community coaching and charity work they do here.

For as long as we can remember we have taken care of the both Leominster Primary and High School Minibus.’ Keeping Leominster children’ safe on the road when being transported to and from school, activities and events is significant in their development. We also contribute prises for local school PTA fundraising events on a regular bases. Tim is also a member of Kingsland Primary PTA, where his youngest two go to school.

Finally, the Macmillan Wye Valley Mighty Hike. Unfortunately Macmillan need no introduction, nearly everybody has some connection or link with the support they provide. Whilst the official 26 mile event from Chepstow to Monmouth was cancelled this year following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Tim and his group of friends decided to walk the marathon distance anyway. Walking a circular route from Chepstow racecourse and back, they clocked 26.35 miles and collectively raised over £2600 for Macmillan (as of todays date), which they are really proud of. Macmillan is such a great cause that they’ve all agreed to leave our sponsorship pages open and do the official event in 2023! You can find our more or even support Tim’s fundraising cause here…

That’s a quick snapshot of the last twelve months, there is probably a bit more that didn’t make it into this! Remember though, none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for our amazing customers! A huge Thank You for your continued support!

Oldfields Takes Award for Best Independent Garage Specialists for 2022

Wednesday 31st August 2022

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We are delighted to announce that we have won the SME News “Best Independent Garage Specialists – Herefordshire” for 2022. We’ve had this under wraps until we were officially allowed to reveal this news. The official press release is available is below!

“SME News Magazine has announced the winners of the 2022 Midlands Enterprise Awards.

Now running for five consecutive years, the Midlands Enterprise programme is created to acknowledge and award those SMEs of all different sizes covering a range of businesses and industries that are based within the Midlands. The region is often described as the beating heart of the British industry and is a strong force in opening new avenues and business opportunities to most SMEs. The aim of the programme like every year is to recognise the best SME businesses and give them the exposure that they rightly deserve.

Awards Coordinator Holly Blackwood commented on the success of this year’s programme: “It has been a delight and an honour to organise this year’s edition of the Midlands Enterprise Awards. As always we have endeavoured to highlight those that businesses and individuals who are redefining their respective industries in the region, and acting as pacesetters. I offer my sincere congratulations to all of those who have been listed among the winners and hope you all have a fantastic rest of the year ahead.”

SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.

To learn more about our award winners and to gain insight into the working practices of the “best of the best”, please visit the SME News website (https://www.sme-news.co.uk/awards/midlands-enterprise-awards/) where you can access the winners supplement.”

Tim from Oldfields said “It’s great for the team to receive this award. We strive to make sure we have the best service experience for our customers and recognition like this helps to validate what we are doing. We’ll continue to offer the best service possible going forwards!”

Oldfields Garage Services (2022 Winner: Midlands Enterprise Awards) – SME News (sme-news.co.uk)

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Top Garage Competition 2022 – Semi Finals!

Sunday 10th July 2022

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We’re really pleased that out of thousands of UK-wide garages we have been shortlisted and made it through to the Semi-Final of the UK Top Garage Competition 2022, run by Aftermarket Magazine. Some of the best garages in the UK have been previous winners and we’re among some very good company.

The next stage will be very challenging and will require us to be on our “A” game to show them why we should be among the finalists at the Awards Ceremony in Coventry on 1st October!

Air Conditioning Service & Diagnostics

Sunday 1st May 2022

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We’ve recently added the Newer type, R1234YF Air conditioning gas to our on-site services in time for the warmer weather. We are now able to service re-gas R134A and R1234YF systems.

Whilst we were doing so we took the opportunity to invest in our Air Con Diagnostic capability. To carry out Air Conditioning regas on vehicles, all garages and Air Con centres need to be qualified to handle gas safely and require the F-Gas Certification. Oldfields have taken this a step further and our team are now qualified in Air Conditioning Diagnostics, meaning we now specialise in carrying out correct investigation and testing to get to the root cause of Air Con faults and leaks. We don’t just refill the system if there is problem, stopping our customers from potentially wasting money on re-gassing!

Our air conditioning pricing is as follows*:

  1. Regas for R134A systems (old type gas, up to £500 grams) £79.99 inc vat
  2. Regas for R1234YF systems (newer type gas, up to 500 grams) £145.80 inc vat
  3. Air Con Diagnostic Assessment £95.00 inc vat

If you’d like to book your vehicle in with us, you can do it online here…

*Pricing correct as of 1st May 2022

Potential European Block Exemption Rule Changes

Tuesday 22nd March 2022

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By Tim Benson

In response to the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations’ impending expiration in May 2023, I feel that there is significant concern within the Automotive aftermarket sector that needs to be addressed. As an independent garage it is vital that we can retain the right to repair and maintain our customers’ vehicles, but I do empathise with manufacturers who make huge investments in developing vehicles.

With the potential law changes coming, the impact will be felt throughout the whole of the UK in the coming years. I believe manufacturers will quietly go about snuffing out the independent garage sector unless we fight to protect our access to data, information and vehicle systems. Individually it would be impossible for us to fight this cause, but collectively, with groups and bodies like the IAAF (who understand the mechanics of dealing with government organisations), we can lobby and push back to ensure there continues to be a level playing field for all garages for many years ahead.

As I said earlier, I do have empathy for manufacturers who spend millions of pounds developing vehicles and dealers who spend significant sums to be part their franchise networks. Personally, I feel it is right that we should commit to investing in our businesses and technicians to ensure that we can carry out work to the standard expected by a manufacturer. There should be a level of “vetting” to ensure that vehicles are worked on by suitable competent garages. This should however be accessible. I can understand that vehicle manufacturers wish to protect their dealership network but preventing customers from choosing another provider is unreasonable and unfair.

Independent garages need to continue to be allowed access to correct technical information at a fair price and vehicle systems should not be blocked for repair by suitably competent garages, to enable us to continue to provide a high value proposition that’s a real alternative to main dealers. Only then can vehicle owners, our Customers, have fair choice.

Oldfields Selected to Join Castrol Network

Thursday 10th March 2022

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Oldfields Garage are delighted to have been chosen to join the Castrol Service Network. Being part of the Castrol network, not only gives us access to one of the most prestigious oil brands in the world, but helps us continue to provide the highest quality service for our customers.

Tim Benson says “there aren’t many garages locally that meet the requirements of Castrol to join their network and it’s fantastic for us to be able to use the Castrol Brand within our business. We’ve spent a lot of time researching products available and carefully sourcing based on quality, value and availability to us to ensure our customers benefit from high quality parts and we’re delighted to add Castrol to our preferred product brands.”

Customers who have their oil change using Castrol Oil can benefit from the “Castrol Engine Warranty” by registering there oil change with Castrol.

Vacancy – Technician/MOT Tester

Thursday 6th January 2022

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Due to the continued development of our independent family run business, we have a New Opportunity to join our team and help us maintain our excellent reputation in the area. The role is in our Workshop team and will be centred on maintaining and repairing the vehicles of our loyal Customers.

We offer;

  • Excellent rates of pay based on experience, skill set and qualifications
  • 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
  • Christmas shutdown with 28 days holiday, rising to 33 over time.
  • A friendly committed team
  • A low pressure environment, that enables efficient working
  • Excellent staff facilities
  • Training & development opportunities
  • Industry leading tablet based job card system
  • A clean modern workshop
  • We invest in tooling
  • A family friendly business

We are looking for;

  • Someone skilled with minimum 4 years experience to carry out Servicing, General Repairs & MOTs (if MOT tester)
  • Someone friendly who will fit into our team
  • An individual who is clean and tidy in appearance and working
  • Somebody keen on continuing their development
  • Someone who understands the importance of a high quality customer experience

If you are a Technician and/or MOT Tester that is looking to help us move to the next level please get in touch!

If you’d like an informal discussion call Tim on 01568 612436 or email tim@oldfieldsgarage.co.uk with why you’d like to join our team.