Our garage
So, how did we get to where we are?
Our garage has been a labour of love, from the very first thought to being ready to erect a building built to the specifications neccessary to offer all the services we need to our customer.
We’ve made some tough decisions and some sacrifices, but we know it’s all going to be worth it to serve our communities.
Where it all began…
It was in April 2024 when Andy started to think about fulfilling his dream of owning his own garage. Having been a mechanic for 25 years, and working just over the Scottish border for the last 4 years, Andy knew that there was a need in the Wooler area for locals with vans and motorbikes needing MOT’s. Within a 40 mile radius, there were very few garages that provided MOT services for motorbikes and vans. He first mentioned the idea of starting his own garage to Tracey as a bit of a pipe dream, but Tracey thought it was a great idea, and after some long conversations, the idea of Cheviot Service And MOT Service LTD was born.
Then the real work began. Andy and Tracey worked together to search for any local premises that would be able to house all the facilities that Andy wanted to provide for the community. There could be no compromises on the size due to the requirements of the MOT bay, but the more they looked, the more disheartened they became.
Andy started to think about the alternatives, of which there was only really one - build it from scratch.
What happened next…
The next challenge was to find a plot of land for purchase or to secure the lease of land where the landowners were prepared to let Andy build a new garage from scratch. Through a good friendship with the owners at Glendale Business Park, Andy was able to acquire the lease of land large enough to house the premises that was needed. Now, they just had to find a building!
At the end of 2024, Andy managed to source the main structure of the building from the old Callerton Parkway Airport Parking in Newcastle, which was being dismantled. After visiting and measuring, Andy and Tracey knew that just one section of these buildings was large enough to provide the main structure for the garage.
In January 2025, the metalwork was transported to Wooler, and Andy and Tracey (with some help from a few good friends!) cleaned, stripped and repainted the metalwork. The ground was then cleared ready for the building to be erected in the coming months.
Andy painstakingly measure out the whole area to ensure that the foundation blocks were placed exactly where they needed to be - there were no second chances once the concrete the foundations were made!
Where we are now…
On Saturday 10th May, the first concrete was poured into the ground, creating the foundations blocks for the building. It was a huge achievement getting this far, and of course, two important four-legged friends needed to leave their imprint along with their names and the year that the foundations were laid.
Over the course of the next few weeks, the main structure of the building will be erected, and we will soon be open for business!
For now, Andy is working out of one of the smaller units at Glendale Business Park, and is available for services and repairs. If you’d like to see how we’re getting on, please pop in, we’d love to have a chat, get to know you and tell you all about our journey!
