Hugely popular car garage to close down after SIX DECADES as owner says decision comes with ‘great sadness’

A HUGELY popular car garage is preparing to close down after six decades in business.

Mylchreests in Douglas, Isle of Man, is to shut down its sales, servicing and parts operations next month - having first opened some 65 years ago.

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Located on New Castletown Road, the long-running outlet first opened on Westmoreland Road by Brian Mylchreest, but will finally close its doors for good on April 17.

As reported by Manx Radio, the garage’s Chairman, David Mylchreest, said: “As we edge closer to the beginning of our 65th year serving the Manx public, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of our sales, servicing and parts operations.

“This is a decision we are making with extreme reluctance and one that is tinged with great sadness given the loyalty of staff and customers on the Island over generations.”

Managing Director James Mylchreest, added: “The retail motor industry has changed hugely over the past decade.

"During which time we have witnessed the closure or streamlining of a number of smaller independent garages and family-run businesses throughout the Island and the UK.

“This is a trend that we anticipate will continue for some time and one which makes a small, franchised operation such as ours increasingly challenging.

“As a result, we have taken a realistic long-term view and plan to readapt accordingly.

“Naturally our current priority is to support our colleagues in the best way we can and ensure our valued customers receive any assistance they may require.

“In the meantime we would like to express our gratitude for the loyal support of our staff, suppliers and customers and would like to sincerely thank the wider Isle of Man community for their friendship over more than 60 years.

“It has been a genuine privilege to be such a major part of the Island’s motoring heritage for so long.”

Mylchreests pride themselves in selling cars ranging from brand new sports cars to preloved classics.

They represented Jaguar and Land Rover for over 50 years and hold partnerships with the likes of Subaru and Isuzu.

In the early 1960s, Mylchreests provided the Roads Open car for the famous Isle of Man TT Races.

Despite their garage’s closure, the Mylchreests Group will continue its car rental business, which is located at the Isle of Man Airport, and represents Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Thrifty car rental brands.

This comes as an owner of a successful car dealership has slammed his local council for the decision to reject his planning application.

Gul Nawaz, owner at West Midlands Cars Ltd, has hit out at the council and his neighbours after a slew of complaints were made against his business. 

Neighbours say Gul's premises is overcrowded, with motors spilling out of his property and onto residential streets. 

Gul has claimed he helped the local community by ridding the area of “druggies” and providing jobs. 

He adds that his cars do not cause an obstruction and says the neighbours complaints are unjustified.

Nine people work at West Midlands Cars on Franchise Street, Wednesbury, who will lose their jobs if the council closes Gul’s dealership.