Long service prepares for retirement
NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS PLC
Bristol Street Motors in Stafford is commemorating 50 years of continuous service as its longest standing employee retires.
Nicky Milgate, who has just turned 65, has worked as a car body shop painter since he was 15 years old after he tried his hand as a mechanic and decided it wasn’t for him.
Nicky first worked at the site, which is now occupied by Bristol Street Motors, part of Vertu Motors Plc, when it was Lloyds of Stafford. The original body shop was located in a barn at the back of the site amongst stables and the occasional mouse.
Alongside learning his trade as a paint worker, Nicky also chopped wood to burn in order to heat the workplace.
Throughout his work career, Nicky has worked on a staggering amount of different cars and models including the Ford Zodiac and Ford Zephyr, he also carried out restoration work on Ford Model T’s. Nicky has seen three different sets of paint booths installed and outworked 12 body shop managers.
The site was acquired by Bristol Street Motors in 1996, where Nicky stayed as a Paint Prepper. The staff at the dealership organised a retirement bbq for him and held a collection for a leaving present.
Nicky Milgate said, “I am reluctant to retire as I like to keep busy! However 50 years is a long time and I will now be able to concentrate on my gardening. I have enjoyed working in the motor trade and have worked on some lovely cars over the years. Being able to see the technology advance and the site develop has been really interesting and I’m proud to say I have outlasted many of my work colleagues.”
Kevin Wood, Body Shop Manager at Bristol Street Motors said, “Nicky has been a continual support to the body shop and is an asset to the team. He is an extremely dedicated man. He will be sadly missed and it truly is a special achievement to have worked for 50 years on one site. Everyone at the dealership wishes him well in his retirement.”
ENDS
Contact: Melanie Smith on 01325 363 436.
Notes to Editors:
Vertu Motors plc (which trades under the Bristol Street Motors, Macklin Motors, Vertu Honda and Bristol Street Motor Nation brands) was formed in late 2006 to acquire and consolidate UK motor retail businesses. The group was founded as a new entrant into the UK motor retail sector and is listed on the AIM market (UK:VTU).
Since flotation in December 2006, the Group has established itself as a major player in the United Kingdom automotive retail sector. The Group operates 78 outlets representing 17 manufacturers across the UK.
The dealership in Stafford is Bristol Street Motors Ford.
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Nicky Milgate and his wife, Teresa Milgate
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