Having been in the vehicle repair industry and known locally for a number of years, Gary and Simon opened up a small workshop at the back of Hockley Windows primarily to repair, mot and service motorhomes and campervans. We carried out modifications to the building and installed a large inspection pit so that we could allow access to over 90% of the motorhomes generally found on the roads in the uk and in fact we have probably only ever turned away 1 or 2 that couldn't be accommodated safely.
Having this access was unusual for the area and it soon became apparent that there was a need for a good quality but affordable centre that could cater for all types of vehicles and so Coastal Car and Leisure was born on the 26th July 2010.
Over the next couple of years our customer base continued to grow and grow and we soon found that we needed help. Jamie (Gary's son) joined us around the end of 2011 and studied hard during his apprenticeship and gained a top student award at Colchester Institute, he soon found that he enjoyed the challenge of diagnosing electrical faults so him and Gary regularly attend courses to keep their knowledge as diverse and up to date as possible.
Getting busier and busier all the time it became apparent that the workshop space needed to grow and along with it another member of staff. So Rob started with Coastal in May 2013 having worked for VAG Skoda for a number of years and had a wealth of knowledge and experience to compliment the rest of the team. Rob is an MOT tester and also specialises in engine/turbo and mechanical diagnosis.
In 2018 Tyler started work as an Apprentice and worked hard over the next few years to prove himself as a hard working and conscientious employee and now he enjoys the challenge of being the service advisor and running the new expanded workshop behind the mot bay carrying out scheduled and menu servicing and fast fit type repairs including all major brands of tyres.
The latest technician to join the team was in 2022, Grant had been working for Hyundai and was trained to the latest standards and along with Gary and Jamie is an MOT tester and a level 4 trained electric vehicle technician.
With Clair (Gary's wife) in reception it allows all of the technicians to concentrate on the work they are doing, and for this Clair also attends regular courses to review her knowledge of the latest technology and ways of communicating with our customers.
