A POPULAR car garage owned by Halfords is set to close its doors in just a few weeks.
National Tyres and Autocare in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, has been a familiar sight on the town’s main road for years.
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But now, the garage – part of the Halfords chain – will shut down following what the company calls a “review of our estate.”
Halfords says it is working to support the affected staff and is offering them alternative roles at other nearby locations where possible.
While it’s a tough blow for the local team, the company is aiming to soften the impact for workers.
The garage has 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.
A Halfords spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our National Tyres and Autocare garage on Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, will close following a review of our estate in the area.
We are committed to supporting impacted colleagues and are offering alternative roles at nearby Halfords locations where possible.
“We’d like to thank our customers for their continued support and hope to welcome them at our Halfords Autocentre garage on East Dock Street, just an eight-minute drive away.
Customers can also use our Halfords Mobile Expert service for tyre fittings, battery replacements, and other essentials right at their doorstep.”
For many locals, the closure feels like the end of an era.
The garage has been part of the fabric of the community, offering reliable service for countless motorists over the years.
Customers now have the option to visit the East Dock Street location or make use of Halfords’ mobile service, which promises to deliver car care straight to customers’ homes.
The news comes as the motoring industry faces wider challenges, such as the imminent closure of a huge car dealership with over 91,000 vehicles currently on sale — putting over 100 jobs at risk.
The German online used car marketplace Heycar has suffered heavy losses since its launch in the UK in 2019, when it set out to rival Auto Trader and Motors.
Now, its majority shareholder, Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS), has decided to pull the plug, leaving more than 126 employees across the UK, Germany, and France facing the risk of losing their jobs.
A large proportion of Heycar’s employees are based in the UK, and the company is expected to wind down its UK operations shortly after its closure in Germany, which is expected in mid-May.
A VWFS spokesperson confirmed, “We expect we will have to let go of a large portion of Heycar’s employees.”
Despite the closure, VWFS is planning to carry forward Heycar’s innovations.
In a statement, VWFS UK said: “Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) UK is pleased to announce the launch of a new subsidiary that will integrate the technology and expertise developed by Heycar.
“Heycar has been a pioneer in the online used car marketplace and, despite the decision to wind down their operations, the valuable insights and digital solutions developed so far will play a crucial role in the future of VWFS UK, as we continue to explore new ways to drive growth and innovation in the automotive e-commerce space.
“We are anticipating that specialists and resources from Heycar will be joining the new subsidiary, ensuring we have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilise and develop the technology we’re acquiring.”
Volkswagen Financial Services was the company’s largest shareholder, holding a 78 percent stake, followed by Volkswagen at 13 percent and Renault at 9 percent.
Why are so many car dealerships closing down?
By Summer Raemason
According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK.
The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships.
With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don’t even step foot into a dealership anymore.
Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared.
Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket.
Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors.
The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry.
A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars.
They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050.
The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals.
This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures.
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