A HUGE car brand has suddenly shut its popular garage just years after a neighbouring petrol station was forced to close.
Residents of Shepton Mallet in Somerset have been left distraught as their beloved garage in Haskins Retail Centre has shut.
This comes just a few years after it neighbouring Texaco petrol station also closed its doors for the last time.
The much-loved Honda retailer, Shepton Mallet Motors, offered everything from car servicing and repairs to MOT testing.
For Honda vehicle owners it also provided tyre and exhaust replacements too.
It was locals’ “one-stop” shop for all their motoring needs, reports Somerset Live.
One happy customer said: “Helpful and friendly staff displaying a high level of expertise.
“Took my car in with a electrical problem, which was diagnosed and repaired which was more complicated than first thought, but the technician persisted until it was fully sorted out.”
Whilst another said: “I’ve used this garage for many years. The staff are always friendly, helpful and professional.
“All of my sales and servicing dealings have been first class.”
The Haskins Retail centre is run by the Haskins family. It was launched by Jack Haskins in his small cottage in 1930.
Four generations later, it has evolved into a large shopping centre with a number of businesses on site.
Shepton Mallet Motors have been approached for comment.
This shock notice comes as Guildford Auto Servicing and Repairs Ltd announced it would be closing after just two years in business.
The family company, nestled in Guildford Surrey, is set to be replaced by flats.
The owner said: “They are building flats here so unfortunately we have to go.
“We are still here until the beginning of March. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do.”
Planning permission for the development of 19 residential units was actually granted by Guildford Borough Council on the 25th March 2021.
Ridgemount Garage is set to be developed following the demolition of Guildford Auto Servicing and Repairs.
The site will take up around 0.45 acres.
AN EVERYDAY household item could be the solution to the UK’s pothole hell by creating roads that fix cracks in less than an hour.
Potholes have wreaked havoc across the country – costing the nation a whopping £14.4billion.
They typically occur when water seeps into a road and freezes.
The frozen water then expands and causes the asphalt, which is used to surface roads, to crack and leave behind these nightmare craters.
But clever engineers think they may have found a cure to one of motorists’ biggest headache.
According to research, adding recycled cooking oil to asphalt will prevent potholes from forming, reports The Times.
The oil will fill any small cracks when they begin to form, stopping roads from becoming brittle.
In experiments, these “self-healing” roads were shown to completely repair new cracks in less than an hour.
Researchers also estimate this process will extend a road’s lifespan by a whopping 30 per cent.
This comes just a month after experts warned of the issues posed by potholes, that run beyond the usual punctured tyres and bent wheels.
Chris Jevons, a car repair specialist at JTAPE, said the damage lurking beneath the surface is harder to detect but often just as expensive.
He said: “Potholes don’t just damage your tyres and wheels, they can scrape vital underbody components, cause fluid leaks, and dislodge the sensors that modern vehicles rely on for safety and performance.
“These hidden damages often go unnoticed until they lead to significant and costly problems.
“As repair costs continue to rise, it’s crucial for drivers to understand that potholes don’t just damage what you can see, they can also affect the unseen, high-tech components that keep your car safe and operational.”
Some of the dearest damage a pothole can do is to dislodge the high-tech safety sensors most modern cars are equipped with.
These have a range of uses including alerting a driver when they have strayed from their lane to automatic breaking and adaptable cruise control.
Chris said: “What many drivers don’t realise is that a single pothole impact can knock these sensors out of alignment or even dislodge them entirely.”
Indeed, the past year has seen a massive jump in claims for damage related to potholes, each costing drivers hundreds to repair.
Data compiled from 18 local authorities by the RAC show some regions experiencing spikes in claims by up to 366%.
The Club also compiled a list of worst offenders based on the number of claims per mile of road under the council’s jurisdiction.
By that metric, Surrey came out worst with 3,418 claims made for just 3,410 miles of road – a rate of one claim every mile.
Behind that, Hampshire, Essex and Hertfordshire were all tied on two in a poor outing for the Home Counties.
They were followed by Kent and Lincolnshire on four, with Gloucestershire rounding out the top five on five.
LIVERPOOL icon Jamie Carragher heaped praise on Declan Rice for his subtle act following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s goal against Manchester City.
Arsenal stunned the reigning Premier League champions with a 5-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Hale End academy graduate Lewis-Skelly started the match and scored his first senior goal with an emphatic strike in the 62nd minute.
After the ball hit the back of the net, the 18-year-old wheeled away in celebration before sitting down in Erling Haaland’s signature ‘zen’ pose.
Arsenal players were quick to surround him before he got up and continued celebrating with the home crowd.
But Carragher noticed a subtle act from Rice which helped Lewis-Skelly keep his composure.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, the ex-Liverpool defender said: “I didn’t like this (the celebration) to be honest, because he’s a young player. You know, mimicking Haaland and taking the mick out of him.
“But I think as a young player – and I know we all get carried away with ourselves as a young player – but I just think what Declan Rice did there…
“He pulled him up. He’s still celebrating in the corner. Listen, it’s a huge moment for him, but Declan Rice is telling him to get back in position.
“And when I think about leaders in that dressing room and being a senior player…
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“Look at Declan Rice telling them: ‘Get back in position! Let’s not get carried away!’
“This is what senior pros should be doing in the dressing room to young players.”
Martin Odegaard opened the scoring for Arsenal less than two minutes into the match.
Haaland then equalised just after half-time, but Thomas Partey restored his team’s lead just one minute later.
Lewis-Skelly extended Arsenal’s lead before goals from Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri sealed the win.
ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.
It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years.
Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated…
David Raya – 7/10
Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland’s 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Didn’t offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half.
William Saliba – 5
Didn’t have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City’s equaliser – a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 6
Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard’s goal.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8
Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.
His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian’s ‘Lotus’ celebration went down a storm with fans.
Thomas Partey – 7
Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box.
Martin Odegaard – 7
Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.
Declan Rice – 6
Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn’t the best.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.
Kai Havertz – 6
Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later. Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.
SUBS
Ethan Nwaneri – 83 (on for Trossard) – 7
Put the cherry on top of the cake with an outrageous effort in second-half stoppage time.
Mikel Merino – 83 (on for Odegaard) – 5
Raheem Sterling – 89 (on for Kai Havertz ) – N/A
Riccardo Calafiori 89 (on for Lewis-Skelly) – N/A
Read more on all the latest Arsenal news.
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