Firm flourishes thanks to loan

Andy Etherington and Carl Smith are experts in vehicle restoration and repair – between them they have over 50 years’ experience. Together they opened their own Repair and Restore Bodyshop in Goole in October 2014, thanks to business loan support from Stacey Howard of the Goole Development Trust (GDT).

Since opening, the shop has built a huge customer base, ranging from accident repair work to enthusiasts modifying their car. Over the last year the business has doubled and is now a member of the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association.

Now employing five members of staff, their unique skills are a big part of the business and drive much of the long-term development.
As the business grows, Andy and Carl are considering expanding their space. They hope to secure deals with haulage firms where they’ll cater for both large and small commercial vehicles. Such is the level of their success, Repair and Restore have been nominated as a finalist in the New Business category of the Goole & Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards 2016, to be held on February 19.

With the business now in full swing, Andy and Carl have now expanded into the adjoining side unit and are going from strength to strength.
“Stacey at GDT has given us so much advice and has always been there to listen. She’s helped us with ideas on future expansion and should we need it, we’ll be using GDT again,” said Andy.