Latest news with #EastSuffolk
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Huge UK car dealership suddenly shuts down after 4 DECADES of selling 10,000s of motors as owner issues statement
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. 2 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. 2
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Suffolk and Essex hospital trust given £7.8m for building repairs
A hospital trust has been awarded almost £8m for vital building maintenance and Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ENEFT), which runs Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, has been given £7.8m from the money is part of a £750m package previously announced to tackle issues such as leaky pipes and poor ventilation, helping to prevent delays or cancellations to Daniel, interim director of estates and facilities at ESNEFT, said the money would allow for a maintenance backlog to be tackled. "Our buildings must be safe and fit for purpose for everyone who uses them - patients, visitors, and staff alike," Mr Daniel said."We're very pleased to have secured this Government funding. "It will allow us to speed up vital backlog maintenance work across our hospital sites. "This investment means we can carry out essential improvements more quickly, helping us to maintain high standards of care and safety." Across the hospitals, the money will go to improvements on electrics, fire and safety systems, lifts, and security clinical upgrades like theatre improvements and ward Daniel said maintaining the hospital buildings was a "year-round priority" and the estates team regularly inspected and risk-assessed sites "to prevent any issues before they arise". Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said the government was "on a mission to rebuild out NHS through investment and modernisation"."Patients and staff deserve to be in buildings that are safe, comfortable and fit for purpose," he added."Through our Plan for Change, we will make our NHS fit for the future." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
East Suffolk Council signs anti-violence charter
A local authority has claimed to be the first in the East of England to sign a charter aimed at ending violence at Suffolk Council and its trading company East Suffolk Services Limited put their names to UNISON's End Violence at Work local authority said some of its frontline staff in waste management were recently subjected to extreme and threatening behaviour."It is with regret that this charter is even needed," said Green party councillor and leader of East Suffolk Council, Caroline Topping. "Let us not forget, our staff are serving their communities and I thank them for their service."To qualify for the charter, organisations must meet 10 key standards, providing evidence of clear reporting and investigation procedures, and ongoing data monitoring of violent must also be trained to handle threatening situations charter aims to encourage organisations to protect employees working in public services from acts of abuse, assault and intimidating East Suffolk branch secretary Kerry Rayden said: "No-one should be subjected to violence at work."It's fantastic that East Suffolk Council and East Suffolk Services are showing this commitment to employees to keep them safe.""Hopefully other local employers will follow suit." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
