Latest news with #Brearley
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car dealership with over 120 locations to close branch ‘imminently' after more than 50 years
Scroll down to find out why so many UK car dealerships are closing STALLED ENGINE Major car dealership with over 120 locations to close branch 'imminently' after more than 50 years A POPULAR car dealership with over 120 locations has announced it is closing a branch after 50 years. Lookers is set to close its head office in Altrincham, after being based in Greater Manchester since 1973. Advertisement 1 Lookers is set to close its head office in Manchester Credit: Google Maps Rumours had been circulating that staff would be made redundant, but managing director James Brearley assured that this is not true. Instead, around 12 members of staff will be relocated to another Lookers site, in Stoke-on-Trent. Addressing the rumours, Mr Brearley told Car Dealer: "That is categorically not true and it's important we put the record straight," he said. "The Altrincham site will be closing imminently but that effects 12 staff all of whom will be moving to another of our site's in Stoke on Trent. Advertisement "There will be no redundancies." Lookers was taken over by Canadian company Global Auto Holdings in October 2023, in a deal worth £504 million. Following the takeover, a number of redundancies were made by the new owners. Lookers was founded in 1908 as a bicycle seller and eventually switched to cars. Advertisement By the 1960s, it was one of the leading chains, alongside Pendragon, Inchcape and Marshall. The dealership was hit hard by the pandemic, and axed 1500 jobs in 2020. Major UK car dealership closes down This comes after another car dealership, TC Harrison Ford in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, closed its doors for the last time earlier this month. The closure was confirmed after planners granted permission for a new retirement village to be built on the dealership's site last year. Advertisement TC Harrison confirmed last month that the dealership would close on May 16, 2025. Happily, there will be no job losses following the closure, with all business activities and staff to relocate to the the firm's Huntingdon branch, just 11 miles away. Why are so many car dealerships closing down? By Summer Raemason 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. And a huge car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles currently on sale will close within weeks 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. Advertisement A large proportion of Heycar's employees are based in the UK. They are expected to close in the UK shortly after their closure in Germany, in mid-May. And a Volkswagen dealership in Wirral has also recently closed, after it's owner US-based Group 1 decided it was restructuring, as part of a £346 million deal. A Volkswagen spokesperson told the Globe: 'We can confirm that Group 1 Volkswagen Wirral ceased trading at the end of March and is now closed. Advertisement 'Our focus when any network changes take place remains on convenience and the highest levels of service. 'Customers have been contacted to advise them of alternative sales, service and parts facilities.' Hundreds of jobs are at risk due to the restructuring.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car dealership with over 120 locations to close branch ‘imminently' after more than 50 years
A POPULAR car dealership with over 120 locations has announced it is closing a branch after 50 years. Advertisement 1 Lookers is set to close its head office in Manchester Credit: Google Maps Rumours had been circulating that staff would be made redundant, but managing director James Brearley assured that this is not true. Instead, around 12 members of staff will be relocated to another Lookers site, in Stoke-on-Trent. Addressing the rumours, Mr Brearley told "The Altrincham site will be closing imminently but that effects 12 staff all of whom will be moving to another of our site's in Stoke on Trent. Advertisement Read more motors stories "There will be no redundancies." Lookers was taken over by Canadian company Global Auto Holdings in October 2023, in a deal worth £504 million. Following the takeover, a number of redundancies were made by the new owners. Lookers was founded in 1908 as a bicycle seller and eventually switched to cars. Advertisement Most read in Motors By the 1960s, it was one of the leading chains, alongside Pendragon, Inchcape and Marshall. The dealership was hit hard by the pandemic, and axed 1500 jobs in 2020. Major UK car dealership closes down This comes after another car dealership, TC Harrison Ford in St Neots, , earlier this month. The closure was confirmed after planners granted permission for a new retirement village to be built on the dealership's site last year. Advertisement TC Harrison confirmed last month that the dealership would close on May 16, 2025. Happily, there will be no job losses following the closure, with all business activities and staff to relocate to the the firm's Why are so many car dealerships closing down? By Summer Raemason 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. And a huge 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. Advertisement A large proportion of Heycar's employees are based in the UK. They are expected to close in the UK shortly after their closure in Germany, in mid-May. And a Volkswagen dealership in Wirral has also recently closed, after it's owner A Volkswagen spokesperson told the Globe: 'We can confirm that Group 1 Volkswagen Wirral ceased trading at the end of March and is now closed. Advertisement 'Our focus when any network changes take place remains on convenience and the highest levels of service. 'Customers have been contacted to advise them of alternative sales, service and parts facilities.' Hundreds of jobs are at risk due to the restructuring.
The Age
08-05-2025
- The Age
Perth woman's family fear retribution despite not guilty verdict in murder trial
Aleesha Gilmore looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders on Thursday when a Supreme Court jury declared her not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of Indigenous schoolboy Cassius Turvey. The verdict marked the end of a two-year battle for Gilmore and her family, who say they have suffered death threats and assaults since she was arrested accused of being involved in the brutal bashing of an innocent boy. Gilmore, 23, a former childcare worker, was at the time in a relationship with Jack Brearley, 24, who declared war against a group of schoolkids he wrongly believed had smashed the windows of his car. Cassius, 15, was caught up in the melee on October 13, 2022 and chased by Brearley and his former friend and fellow thug, Brodie Palmer, 29. Both Brearley and Palmer were found guilty of murder and a third man, Mitchell Forth, was found guilty of manslaughter. Gilmore was found not guilty of both. Loading On Thursday, it was revealed it was Palmer who held Cassius down while Brearley bashed him in the head with the metal handle of a shopping trolley. Cassius died in hospital from his injuries 10 days later. During the assault, Gilmore was nowhere near the Middle Swan reserve, having had an argument with Brearley and left the car they were driving around in.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Perth woman's family fear retribution despite not guilty verdict in murder trial
Aleesha Gilmore looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders on Thursday when a Supreme Court jury declared her not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of Indigenous schoolboy Cassius Turvey. The verdict marked the end of a two-year battle for Gilmore and her family, who say they have suffered death threats and assaults since she was arrested accused of being involved in the brutal bashing of an innocent boy. Gilmore, 23, a former childcare worker, was at the time in a relationship with Jack Brearley, 24, who declared war against a group of schoolkids he wrongly believed had smashed the windows of his car. Cassius, 15, was caught up in the melee on October 13, 2022 and chased by Brearley and his former friend and fellow thug, Brodie Palmer, 29. Both Brearley and Palmer were found guilty of murder and a third man, Mitchell Forth, was found guilty of manslaughter. Gilmore was found not guilty of both. Loading On Thursday, it was revealed it was Palmer who held Cassius down while Brearley bashed him in the head with the metal handle of a shopping trolley. Cassius died in hospital from his injuries 10 days later. During the assault, Gilmore was nowhere near the Middle Swan reserve, having had an argument with Brearley and left the car they were driving around in.
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- The Advertiser
'They can just rot': teen's murderers face life in jail
Two men convicted of murdering an Indigenous teen who was chased into bushland and bashed with a metal pole face life sentences, with the boy's mother saying the pair can rot behind bars. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was "deliberately struck to the head" in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022, causing nationwide outrage. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, were convicted of murdering the 15-year-old following a three-month trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, was convicted of manslaughter and Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, was acquitted by the jury on Thursday. Outside the court after the jury delivered its unanimous verdict, Cassius' mother Mechelle Turvey said her son identified Brearley and Palmer the night he was attacked. "My son died for absolutely nothing," she said, with family and supporters chanting "justice for Cassius". "His life was taken. He was hunted down for days ... 15 years of age, my son has finally got justice. May he live forever." Ms Turvey said it was a "sore point" for her that police did not take a statement from Cassius before he died because of his head injury. Asked about the verdicts, Ms Turvey said she was "numb with relief" after they were read. "Justice to me will never be served because I don't have my son, and he's not coming back ... they can just rot as far as I'm concerned," she said. Prosecutor Ben Stanwix told the jury Brearley delivered the fatal blows while "hunting for kids" because somebody had smashed his car windows. It was alleged Forth and Palmer aided him, and along with Gilmore, they had a common purpose on the day. Brearley denied he struck Cassius with a pole, saying he only punched him after the teen knifed him and that Palmer did the deed. Palmer in turn denied Brearley's account as the two men attempted to blame each other for the murder during the trial. Cassius was struck at least twice, causing bleeding in his brain. His death shocked the community and the attack was described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others as racially motivated, although Mr Stanwix said this wasn't the case. Lead investigator Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Cleal said Cassius was a boy who went to school and didn't make it home. "Cassius was completely innocent ... this was not his fault," he said. WA Premier Roger Cook said he hoped the guilty verdicts provided justice and closure for Cassius' family. "This is a dreadful, horrible experience, a very violent experience, and Cassius has left us," he said. "We're deeply saddened and disturbed by the accounts of that crime." The men will be sentenced on June 26 and face mandatory life sentences under WA law. Two men convicted of murdering an Indigenous teen who was chased into bushland and bashed with a metal pole face life sentences, with the boy's mother saying the pair can rot behind bars. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was "deliberately struck to the head" in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022, causing nationwide outrage. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, were convicted of murdering the 15-year-old following a three-month trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, was convicted of manslaughter and Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, was acquitted by the jury on Thursday. Outside the court after the jury delivered its unanimous verdict, Cassius' mother Mechelle Turvey said her son identified Brearley and Palmer the night he was attacked. "My son died for absolutely nothing," she said, with family and supporters chanting "justice for Cassius". "His life was taken. He was hunted down for days ... 15 years of age, my son has finally got justice. May he live forever." Ms Turvey said it was a "sore point" for her that police did not take a statement from Cassius before he died because of his head injury. Asked about the verdicts, Ms Turvey said she was "numb with relief" after they were read. "Justice to me will never be served because I don't have my son, and he's not coming back ... they can just rot as far as I'm concerned," she said. Prosecutor Ben Stanwix told the jury Brearley delivered the fatal blows while "hunting for kids" because somebody had smashed his car windows. It was alleged Forth and Palmer aided him, and along with Gilmore, they had a common purpose on the day. Brearley denied he struck Cassius with a pole, saying he only punched him after the teen knifed him and that Palmer did the deed. Palmer in turn denied Brearley's account as the two men attempted to blame each other for the murder during the trial. Cassius was struck at least twice, causing bleeding in his brain. His death shocked the community and the attack was described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others as racially motivated, although Mr Stanwix said this wasn't the case. Lead investigator Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Cleal said Cassius was a boy who went to school and didn't make it home. "Cassius was completely innocent ... this was not his fault," he said. WA Premier Roger Cook said he hoped the guilty verdicts provided justice and closure for Cassius' family. "This is a dreadful, horrible experience, a very violent experience, and Cassius has left us," he said. "We're deeply saddened and disturbed by the accounts of that crime." The men will be sentenced on June 26 and face mandatory life sentences under WA law. Two men convicted of murdering an Indigenous teen who was chased into bushland and bashed with a metal pole face life sentences, with the boy's mother saying the pair can rot behind bars. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was "deliberately struck to the head" in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022, causing nationwide outrage. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, were convicted of murdering the 15-year-old following a three-month trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, was convicted of manslaughter and Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, was acquitted by the jury on Thursday. Outside the court after the jury delivered its unanimous verdict, Cassius' mother Mechelle Turvey said her son identified Brearley and Palmer the night he was attacked. "My son died for absolutely nothing," she said, with family and supporters chanting "justice for Cassius". "His life was taken. He was hunted down for days ... 15 years of age, my son has finally got justice. May he live forever." Ms Turvey said it was a "sore point" for her that police did not take a statement from Cassius before he died because of his head injury. Asked about the verdicts, Ms Turvey said she was "numb with relief" after they were read. "Justice to me will never be served because I don't have my son, and he's not coming back ... they can just rot as far as I'm concerned," she said. Prosecutor Ben Stanwix told the jury Brearley delivered the fatal blows while "hunting for kids" because somebody had smashed his car windows. It was alleged Forth and Palmer aided him, and along with Gilmore, they had a common purpose on the day. Brearley denied he struck Cassius with a pole, saying he only punched him after the teen knifed him and that Palmer did the deed. Palmer in turn denied Brearley's account as the two men attempted to blame each other for the murder during the trial. Cassius was struck at least twice, causing bleeding in his brain. His death shocked the community and the attack was described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others as racially motivated, although Mr Stanwix said this wasn't the case. Lead investigator Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Cleal said Cassius was a boy who went to school and didn't make it home. "Cassius was completely innocent ... this was not his fault," he said. WA Premier Roger Cook said he hoped the guilty verdicts provided justice and closure for Cassius' family. "This is a dreadful, horrible experience, a very violent experience, and Cassius has left us," he said. "We're deeply saddened and disturbed by the accounts of that crime." The men will be sentenced on June 26 and face mandatory life sentences under WA law. Two men convicted of murdering an Indigenous teen who was chased into bushland and bashed with a metal pole face life sentences, with the boy's mother saying the pair can rot behind bars. Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after he was "deliberately struck to the head" in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022, causing nationwide outrage. Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, were convicted of murdering the 15-year-old following a three-month trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, was convicted of manslaughter and Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, was acquitted by the jury on Thursday. Outside the court after the jury delivered its unanimous verdict, Cassius' mother Mechelle Turvey said her son identified Brearley and Palmer the night he was attacked. "My son died for absolutely nothing," she said, with family and supporters chanting "justice for Cassius". "His life was taken. He was hunted down for days ... 15 years of age, my son has finally got justice. May he live forever." Ms Turvey said it was a "sore point" for her that police did not take a statement from Cassius before he died because of his head injury. Asked about the verdicts, Ms Turvey said she was "numb with relief" after they were read. "Justice to me will never be served because I don't have my son, and he's not coming back ... they can just rot as far as I'm concerned," she said. Prosecutor Ben Stanwix told the jury Brearley delivered the fatal blows while "hunting for kids" because somebody had smashed his car windows. It was alleged Forth and Palmer aided him, and along with Gilmore, they had a common purpose on the day. Brearley denied he struck Cassius with a pole, saying he only punched him after the teen knifed him and that Palmer did the deed. Palmer in turn denied Brearley's account as the two men attempted to blame each other for the murder during the trial. Cassius was struck at least twice, causing bleeding in his brain. His death shocked the community and the attack was described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others as racially motivated, although Mr Stanwix said this wasn't the case. Lead investigator Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Cleal said Cassius was a boy who went to school and didn't make it home. "Cassius was completely innocent ... this was not his fault," he said. WA Premier Roger Cook said he hoped the guilty verdicts provided justice and closure for Cassius' family. "This is a dreadful, horrible experience, a very violent experience, and Cassius has left us," he said. "We're deeply saddened and disturbed by the accounts of that crime." The men will be sentenced on June 26 and face mandatory life sentences under WA law.
