Fix Auto UK Reaches Landmark 150th Repair Centre With Founding Franchise Partners

Fix Auto UK has signed its 150th repair centre, marking a major milestone in the organisation’s continual growth – and the achievement has been made all the more special by the Franchise Partners behind it!

Fittingly, the feat has been secured by father and son duo Stephen and Sam Smith, two of its original founding Franchise Partners who joined the organisation in September 2005. They also stand alone in overseeing five repair centres and hold the auspicious ‘title’ of being the only owners in the Group to develop a purpose-built repair centre to their own specification.

Operating as Fix Auto Blackburn, the new site is based in the historic town of Darwen, on the outskirts of Blackburn, and will complement their established Fix Auto Bradford, Fix Auto Keighley, Fix Auto Leeds South and Fix Auto Leeds North centres.

Dating back to the late 1800’s, the 12,500 sq ft former cotton mill was also once a prominent roller-skating venue that served the community, the building is now set for an extensive transformation into a state-of-the-art vehicle repair facility.

Ian Pugh, Managing Director of the Advantage Group of Companies that Fix Auto UK lies within, said: “Reaching our 150th repair centre is a monumental moment for Fix Auto UK – it’s the target I publicly set when I took on the Managing Directors’ role in 2011. It is particularly fitting this milestone has been achieved by two of our longest-standing partners in Stephen and Sam.

“Their commitment, entrepreneurial drive, spirit and continued investment are fine examples of what can be achieved by being part of our ‘family’. To see their business grow to five high-performing and super-efficient repair centres alongside our own development is testament to the strength of our franchise partnerships and the opportunities our model provides.”

Sam added: “As it’s often quoted, at the heart of Fix Auto UK is the fact we’re a group of independent bodyshops working together and that’s exactly what we do! We are independent at heart, stronger together, we’re local businesses who care about every repair and it’s incredible to think the Group is now underpinned by 150 Fix Auto locations.

“Being that 150th site is a real privilege for us, particularly given our 21-year journey with Fix Auto UK. We’ve grown alongside it and the support, relationships and opportunities it has provided have played a huge part in helping us reach this point. Opening our fifth repair centre is another exciting chapter for our business and we’re proud to be marking such a significant milestone. We look forward to continuing to grow with Fix Auto UK and seeing what the next chapter brings.”