Ramsey ’ s still going strong as it celebrates 30 years in business
FAMILY VALUES
The family team of Gillian , Ian and Elliott Ramsey are celebrating the family firm ’ s 30th anniversary in 2023 .
Ramsey ’ s still going strong as it celebrates 30 years in business
Family-run Ramsey ’ s Garage on Aycliffe Business Park is looking to the future as it celebrates 30 years in business .
The independent , family-owned car sales , service and MOT business is a name familiar to many on the business park , as well as to many residents of Newton Aycliffe and beyond .
Founded in 1993 by Jeff Ramsey , his wife Gillian and his younger brother Ian , they placed excellence and reputation at the heart of their business – and this is still the case today .
High-quality customer service and a willingness to move with the times has been key to three decades of success for the business , which is based on St Cuthbert ’ s Way .
Jeff ’ s untimely death in 2007 left Ian and Gillian to direct the business . They were soon joined by Gillian ’ s son Elliott , who runs the Aftersales and Service side .
The modern and well-equipped workshop offers a comprehensive range of vehicle services and repairs , plus an MOT testing station , all staffed by fully qualified technicians .
Gillian believes Jeff would have been immensely proud of what he founded , after the closely-knit family team successfully navigated the pandemic to come through the other side as strong as ever .
“ We ’ ve been here for 30 years now and have seen many changes in the motor trade in that time ,” says Gillian .
“ Our success is down to our customers , especially those from our local community .
“ People come from far and wide to buy cars nowadays , usually after viewing them online , but we also have lots of very loyal local customers – some of whom are now sending their children or grandchildren to us !
“ We ’ ve also got families who are coming up to buying their 30th car with us .”
“ Our core business is still local – and for that we ’ ve got to thank the people who have kept us here ,” Ian added .
Ian , Gillian and Elliott have all been quick to respond to these changes .
With most people now buying their cars online – or at least doing their research online before stepping foot on a garage forecourt – the team knew they had to up their marketing game .
Remembering a time when the only car adverts consisted of simple text-based listings in local newspapers and the odd visit from an Autotrader photographer , who would come in to take a few snaps , Ian says : “ For customers nowadays , 80 per cent of their journey is done online before any contact is made with the garage .
“ It has come a long way since 1993 , when you had one line in a newspaper to describe each car !”.
To accommodate today ’ s social media demands , Ramsey ’ s have recently had a photo-booth area created in the showroom , complete with a
22 | Aycliffe Business