Simon Graeme Auto Service Centre in Hampsthwaite has officially reopened following a major expansion project.
The long-established garage, which has been based at Graystone Plain Lane off the A59 for 30 years, had been working towards the development for more than two and a half years.
Plans were finally approved in December 2023 after a lengthy planning process with North Yorkshire Council.
The expansion includes a new purpose-built building situated just outside the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), where planning restrictions had previously delayed progress.
The new facility houses two MOT bays and five servicing bays, with additional space designed to accommodate larger vehicles such as motorhomes.
Simon told Your Harrogate:
“We’ve managed to build a brand new garage with everything that’s state-of-the-art.
“We’ve also incorporated training rooms, full disabled access and outside we’ve got a lovely garden area.
“We’re lucky where we’re located, we’re not in a town, we’re just on the outskirts of Harrogate.
“It’s been three years of battling with planning permission and taken a year to build, but we’ve done it.”
It also features equipment for hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as electric charging points.
The garage has highlighted that the extra capacity will allow it to meet growing demand in the local area.
Simon said:
“It was always our aim to be the first green garage in North Yorkshire, which I think we’ve achieved.”
A training centre has also been included in the development.
Simon added:
"This is going to be the training centre of the north. We’ve created a 10-seater training room, for everything from MOT training through to EV, hybrid and suspension steering.
"They’re putting a course provision together for next year, and even this year, to use this facility.
"Hopefully training in the north will be easier to get to, because at the moment we have to travel as far as Manchester, Sunderland, Cheshire and all over.
"For us to help to upskill our trade is a massive bonus."
LISTEN: Simon Graeme told Your Harrogate’s Pete Egerton about the new building:
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