A skilled young auto engineer is building a new career for himself, running his own vehicle repair business, after property agents John Truslove helped him find premises.
Gavin Cunningham had struggled to find landlords willing to take on a brand new vehicle recovery and repair business as a tenant until the team at John Truslove stepped in on his behalf, helping him find the ideal premises on North Moons Moat industrial estate in Redditch and helping him seal a lease deal with landlords EPIC.
The business has taken 1,115 sq ft of space at 13 Walkers Road on a three year term at £10,000 per annum.
Cunningham’s Autocare is now up and running, following weeks of work that saw Gavin installing his own ramps and equipment.
“I wanted a blank canvas where I could create a workshop and business based on everything I have learnt in my career,” he said. “I have literally built this business from the ground up, exactly as I believe it should be to provide the best possible service for customers.”
The new venture comes after a dark time for Gavin, after losing a job that had seen him rise from a teenage tyre fitter to a regional manager.
“I was depressed and suffered from anxiety; my confidence took a real blow,” he recalls. “I was at a real low when I realised that what I needed to do was start up on my own, doing things my way.
“About six months ago I sold off lots of possessions and my car to buy a recovery truck. That helped bring in revenue so I could save to get premises, but that proved another obstacle. A lot of landlords weren’t interested in a vehicle repair business as a tenant.
“Then I got in touch with the people at John Truslove and explained what I was trying to do. Ben Truslove and Ruth Banting have been absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t have done it without them. They’ve helped me find the right premises that were affordable so I can build the business. They’ve given a thousand per cent to help me get this up and running.
“At the same time I’ve been backed all the way by my wife, Amy, who has kept working while I’ve been building the business. Things are looking really positive now. I’ll be handing breakdowns, car repairs, tyre replacements, servicing and work on clutches and cambelts – the whole package.”
Ben Truslove, joint managing director of John Truslove, said: “It can be difficult for a new business to find premises, but our knowledge of the local commercial property market and our relationships with landlords puts us in the ideal position to help entrepreneurs find the right premises to get started.
“Gavin is a skilled young man with an impressive work ethic and real drive. It was a pleasure to help him take the first steps in building a business of his own. We look forward to seeing Cunningham’s Autocare thrive in the future.”