Latest news with #Halfords
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Busy garage with 200 branches to shut yet another site for good after string of closures
A POPULAR garage with 200 branches is set to shut yet another site after a wave of closures. Staff will be offered new roles at Advertisement 1 Much-loved car garage owned by Halfords announces it will close down Credit: Google Maps Halfords National Tyres and Autocar garage in Greenock, Scotland will close to merge with its sister site, Halfords Autocentre, just down the road. Company bosses confirmed the news via a statement online, where they also revealed plans to "upgrade" the fresh site. This will include improving and But while staff will be moved to different locations "where possible", it remains unclear whether any roles will be made redundant. Advertisement Read more on Motors A closure date is also yet to be confirmed. A spokesperson for Halfords said: 'We can confirm that our National Tyres and Autocare garage on Dalrymple Street will close following a review of our estate in the area. 'At the same time our Halfords Autocentre, which just a one-minute drive away on same road, is undergoing an upgrade as part of a new concept that focuses on providing a better customer experience through improved availability, modernised facilities, and investment in training. 'We are committed to supporting impacted colleagues and are offering alternative roles at nearby locations where possible. Advertisement Most read in Motors 'We'd like to thank our customers for their continued support and hope to welcome them at our upgraded Halfords Autocentre when it reopens.' The closure comes just days after the Halfords customer gets £100 parking ticket for burned out wreck of his Volvo after it erupts into flames in car park The garage had served locals for years, but staff have now been moved to the Halfords Autocentre at Martins Trading Park on Easton Lane — about a seven-minute drive away. Earlier this year, the firm also announced Advertisement The garage had been a trusted spot for locals needing everything from tyre changes to car servicing. Its central location made it convenient for residents and those passing through Broughty Ferry. The building is already up for sale or lease, with Shepherd Chartered Surveyors marketing it at offers over £250,000 or a lease of £25,000 per year. They believe the site has potential for various commercial uses or redevelopment, though any major changes would need planning permission. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Busy garage with 200 branches to shut yet another site for good after string of closures
Check to see if your local garage is affected ENGINES OFF Busy garage with 200 branches to shut yet another site for good after string of closures Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR garage with 200 branches is set to shut yet another site after a wave of closures. Staff will be offered new roles at nearby locations "where possible" but redundancies have not been ruled out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Much-loved car garage owned by Halfords announces it will close down Credit: Google Maps Halfords National Tyres and Autocar garage in Greenock, Scotland will close to merge with its sister site, Halfords Autocentre, just down the road. Company bosses confirmed the news via a statement online, where they also revealed plans to "upgrade" the fresh site. This will include improving and modernising facilities in a bid to "better" customer experience. But while staff will be moved to different locations "where possible", it remains unclear whether any roles will be made redundant. A closure date is also yet to be confirmed. A spokesperson for Halfords said: 'We can confirm that our National Tyres and Autocare garage on Dalrymple Street will close following a review of our estate in the area. 'At the same time our Halfords Autocentre, which just a one-minute drive away on same road, is undergoing an upgrade as part of a new concept that focuses on providing a better customer experience through improved availability, modernised facilities, and investment in training. 'We are committed to supporting impacted colleagues and are offering alternative roles at nearby locations where possible. 'We'd like to thank our customers for their continued support and hope to welcome them at our upgraded Halfords Autocentre when it reopens.' The closure comes just days after the company closed its Winchester site on St Cross Road. Halfords customer gets £100 parking ticket for burned out wreck of his Volvo after it erupts into flames in car park The garage had served locals for years, but staff have now been moved to the Halfords Autocentre at Martins Trading Park on Easton Lane — about a seven-minute drive away. Earlier this year, the firm also announced the closure of its site in Broughty Ferry, Dundee after what the company called a "review of our estate". The garage had been a trusted spot for locals needing everything from tyre changes to car servicing. Its central location made it convenient for residents and those passing through Broughty Ferry. The building is already up for sale or lease, with Shepherd Chartered Surveyors marketing it at offers over £250,000 or a lease of £25,000 per year. They believe the site has potential for various commercial uses or redevelopment, though any major changes would need planning permission.
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Busy garage with 200 branches to shut yet another site for good after string of closures
A POPULAR garage with 200 branches is set to shut yet another site after a wave of closures. Staff will be offered new roles at nearby locations "where possible" but redundancies have not been ruled out. 1 Halfords National Tyres and Autocar garage in Greenock, Scotland will close to merge with its sister site, Halfords Autocentre, just down the road. Company bosses confirmed the news via a statement online, where they also revealed plans to "upgrade" the fresh site. This will include improving and modernising facilities in a bid to "better" customer experience. But while staff will be moved to different locations "where possible", it remains unclear whether any roles will be made redundant. A closure date is also yet to be confirmed. A spokesperson for Halfords said: 'We can confirm that our National Tyres and Autocare garage on Dalrymple Street will close following a review of our estate in the area. 'At the same time our Halfords Autocentre, which just a one-minute drive away on same road, is undergoing an upgrade as part of a new concept that focuses on providing a better customer experience through improved availability, modernised facilities, and investment in training. 'We are committed to supporting impacted colleagues and are offering alternative roles at nearby locations where possible. 'We'd like to thank our customers for their continued support and hope to welcome them at our upgraded Halfords Autocentre when it reopens.' The closure comes just days after the company closed its Winchester site on St Cross Road. Halfords customer gets £100 parking ticket for burned out wreck of his Volvo after it erupts into flames in car park The garage had served locals for years, but staff have now been moved to the Halfords Autocentre at Martins Trading Park on Easton Lane — about a seven-minute drive away. Earlier this year, the firm also announced the closure of its site in Broughty Ferry, Dundee after what the company called a "review of our estate". The garage had been a trusted spot for locals needing everything from tyre changes to car servicing. Its central location made it convenient for residents and those passing through Broughty Ferry. The building is already up for sale or lease, with Shepherd Chartered Surveyors marketing it at offers over £250,000 or a lease of £25,000 per year. They believe the site has potential for various commercial uses or redevelopment, though any major changes would need planning permission.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Huge blow as two go-to garages close as major network begins permanently shutting 86 branches
A MAJOR company has shuttered two garages as part of its plan to cull 86 sites. The huge company, which has 238 garages across the country, has been battling overcapacity and increased cost s. 3 3 Two former ATS garages have hit the market, after the company shuttered both sites in Lancashire. The garages in Blackburn and Colne have been closed as ATS Euromaster decreases its number of sites. The brand is reducing its network of 238 garages down to just 151 - in a huge programme of closures involving 86 branches. ATS Euromaster's Blackburn site on Pendle Street has been put on the market for £700,000. The now vacant garage's listing states: "The property comprises of a detached steel framed industrial unit, configured as a seven bay fitting workshop with ancillary storage, reception, office, staff and customer WCs with tyre storage above the offices. 'Externally the unit has 12 marked car parking spaces with an additional two disabled spaces." ATS Euromaster has confirmed that its other Lancashire branches in Accrington, Blackpool, Burnley, Preston and Leyland will not be affected. Rumours had swirled that the Accrington branch would close, after Halfords said it was acting as an 'official partner' to the brand. However, Michelin - ATS Euromaster's owner -has denied this. A spokesperson for the company said: "Halfords have not been in discussions/agreements with ATS and we have not endorsed any of our competitors as official 'partners' with regards staff opportunities." Nissan's gloomy future Over 400 jobs are at risk in ATS Euromaster's cull of its branches which it has blamed on overcapacity, increased costs and sluggish growth. Garages in Devon, Cornwall, Brecon, Macclesfield, Carlisle and a slew of others are slated to close. In a statement, a spokesperson for ATS said: "In a UK automotive aftermarket context of overcapacity, increasing costs and sluggish activity and growth, ATS Euromaster intends to review its current operating model and has put in place a proposal to close some non profitable service centres. "Employees impacted by this proposal are under consultation. "In the meantime, our priority is to provide them with the best level of support as possible. "This decision will not impact the high quality of services that we offer to our customers. "We intend that it enables us to concentrate our efforts on strategic levels for sustainable development, including services around ATS mobile capabilities and the shaping of a franchise model already successfully developed in several countries." Reportedly, Halfords - one of ATS Euromaster's rivals - is offering jobs to people affected by the closures. 3
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Get in gear for driving from the UK to mainland Europe
If you are driving your own car to mainland Europe this year, there are plenty of things to think about in addition to how you are going to fit all your stuff in the vehicle. Most European police will want to see your driving licence if they pull you over – check yours is still valid and renew it online if it has expired, or is about to. They will also ask for proof of insurance and your vehicle logbook (V5C), if you have one. You don't need an international driving permit in the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland if you have a photocard licence issued in the UK. However, if you have a paper licence, you will need to update it to a photocard or get an IDP. Go to for details. Some countries require drivers to carry certain things. For example, in much of Europe, including popular destinations such as France, Italy and Germany, you need a warning triangle. In some countries, including Germany and France, you will need a hi-vis vest, too. Don't forget to use headlamp beam converter stickers to stop your headlights dazzling other road users. These are compulsory in places such as France. They can be bought easily for a few pounds. If you don't have these things, an easy option is to pick up a European driving kit from retailers such as Halfords (£32.50 at time of writing) or the RAC (from £25.99). You will need a sticker for your vehicle if your number plate doesn't include the UK identifier with the union flag. If it has a GB identifier with the union flag, a euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales, or numbers and letters only, you must display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle. If you are in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate. However, you don't need a UK sticker or identifier to drive in Ireland. All UK car insurance policies automatically provide you with third-party cover while in EU countries, plus a few others including Switzerland. This covers your legal liability to others – for example, if you injure someone in an accident or damage their property – but won't cover damage to your own vehicle. Most people will want to take their comprehensive cover with them, so check with your provider to see what is, and isn't, included in your policy. The good news is that plenty of insurers automatically include driving elsewhere in Europe with their comprehensive cover. For example, with LV= you are covered for up to 180 days over the policy year, while all of Admiral's comprehensive insurance, except for its Essential policies, includes 90-day European cover. Bear in mind that with some companies you may only be covered for 30 days over the year. With others, such as Aviva, you only get third-party cover as standard, and if you want comprehensive for driving in Europe, you have to buy a policy add-on. Alternatively, you can buy short-term European car insurance from another provider to cover your trip. You can get this through a price comparison website. 'You might find this to be an easier solution than adding cover to your existing policy,' MoneySuperMarket says. Again, check if you are already covered. New cars often come with European roadside assistance, or breakdown cover, while the vehicle is in warranty. It may also be included in a monthly service plan or if you have the car serviced at a main dealer. A number of bank accounts – particularly paid-for ones – include European breakdown cover. Among them are Nationwide's FlexPlus (which costs £18 a month), Monzo's Max (from £17 a month) and the Co-operative Bank's Everyday Extra (£18 a month). Barclays offers customers a 'travel pack' add-on, costing £14.50 a month, that includes European breakdown cover and worldwide travel insurance (there is a six-month minimum term). If you don't have any European breakdown cover, a few weeks' worth should not break the bank. A Compare the Market comparison of single-trip policies for a 2019 Volvo V40, based on two weeks in France in August, found the cheapest policy was £31.79 from Cover My Breakdown. However, for a big road trip, unless you have a super-reliable car that has not given you any problems, it may be wise to go for something offering a bit more than a budget policy. For the scenario mentioned, the RAC would charge either £82.30 or £133.74 depending on the level of cover, while the AA wants £100.03, or £85.74 if you are a member. If you are driving to France, you need to be aware of the country's low emission zones, and the clean air sticker – called a Crit'Air vignette – that you are required to display if you plan to enter one of a number of urban areas. These stickers are used to identify the vehicle's emission levels and, in some cases, restrict access in order to improve air quality. 'Although France's National Assembly voted [in May this year] to scrap low emission zones (ZFEs), the rules around Crit'Air stickers haven't changed yet. UK drivers still need the right sticker to enter many French cities,' the RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis says. Fail to comply and you could face a fine of up to €180 (£155). There are six categories in the Crit'Air vignette system, from green for the cleanest vehicles (for example, 100% electric) to dark grey for the dirtiest. Drivers need to apply via the official French government website and ensure their sticker is displayed before they enter France – so do not leave this until the last minute. For British vehicles, the sticker costs €4.91 (£4.23) including postage. Le Havre and its port are within a low emissions zone, says Brittany Ferries, while other cities operating zones include Caen, Rouen, Rennes and Nantes. Paris and Lyon have particularly strict rules. The RAC has a useful webpage with lots of information on the scheme and which towns and cities need a sticker, and the French government website for the scheme has information and a map. When planning your trip, don't forget to factor in the cost of any motorway tolls and consider how you will pay them. It now costs about €125 (£107) in tolls to drive from Calais to Nice on the south coast of France (so roughly double that for a return trip). You can avoid them, but this will almost certainly add time to your journey. ViaMichelin has a useful tool at that will calculate the estimated total cost of tolls and fuel for your journey. There are payment services you can sign up to that let you use the automated lanes so you can drive straight through and beat any queues, but unless you are planning a lot of journeys, it's probably easier to pay as you go by credit card at the booths or machines. (That is, if you have a front seat passenger to lean out of their window to pay) Emovis Tag, for example, sells tags for France, Spain and Portugal, but there are several upfront and ongoing charges, which may mean it is not cost-effective to use them for a one-off trip. If they do look good value for your break, LeShuttle's car service is running an offer on the tags. The RAC has useful online guides to tolls in France and Spain.
