Huge UK car dealership suddenly shuts down after 4 DECADES of selling 10,000s of motors as owner issues statement

The Sun

05-06-2025

A MAJOR car dealership has suddenly shut down after forty-five years of selling 10,000s of motors.
Customers in Lowestoft, East Suffolk, were shocked by the owner's statement announcing their closure.
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Stanley Street Motors, run by John Mitchell, has been serving a loyal client base since 1980.
But the boss revealed he will be powering down operations due to health reasons.
In a statement on Facebook, the firm said: "Stanley Street Motors has now ceased trading, due to ill-health and retirement.
"This facebook page is in the process of being closed down, and the automatic updates will shortly cease. Our website will have further details in due course.
"We at Stanley Street Motors want to thank you, our customers and friends, and all our suppliers, contractors and supporters, everyone who bought our cars, liked our posts and recommended us to others.
"For over 40 years we have bought and sold cars from Stanley Street. Over the years we have had tens of thousands of lovely customers, many of whom became, not just repeat customers, but friends.
"We will miss you all. Thank you and goodbye."
The site will now be up for grabs at auction through Auction House East Anglia, as reported by the Eastern Daily Press.
Bidders will have the opportunity to bag the property on June 18.
A guide price has been listed for anywhere between £200,000 and £300,000.
A spokesperson from the auctioneers said: "Former car sales showroom and forecourt with development potential.
"This showroom with offices and workshop is to be sold vacant and ready for a new operator, or there is potential to change the current use subject to planning.
"The premises has been used successfully for used cars sales and repairs by the current owners for over 40 years but is now being sold due to retirement.
"The premises comprise of a generous showroom, workshop, two offices, presentation suite, kitchen and cloakroom.
"There is a large forecourt for upwards of 30 cars and the premises has three phase electricity and security alarm system."
This comes as motor dealerships across the UK have been waving goodbye amid a string of devastating closures.
Last month a highly recommended company with excellent reviews shut down suddenly.
The Evans Halshaw location ceased trading quietly with no warning given.
Elsewhere, a pioneering car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles is currently on sale - putting over 100 jobs at risk.
The German online used car marketplace has made heavy losses since opening in the UK in 2019 when it looked to rival Auto Trader and Motors.
Heycar's majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), have pulled the plug leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France at risk of losing their jobs.
Meanwhile a fellow dealership pulled the shutters down as part of a "brand shift" with staff being moved over to another company.
The Sytner Group sold its former Manchester Carshop site to a used car company.
Shaun Lane, the CEO of Motor Range, announced the move on LinkedIn.
According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK.
The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships.
With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don't even step foot into a dealership anymore.
Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared.
Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket.
Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors.
The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry.
A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars.
They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050.
The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals.
This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures.
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