One Lindfield business is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.

Lindfield Motors was started in 1974 by Jim and Janette Yule, and is now run by their son and daughter-in-law Alan and Nicola. It was originally two separate businesses as it used to sell fuel on the forecourt. They have also sold second-hand cars during their history too. “But it’s always been fixing cars and keeping our customers happy,” Nicola said. In 2003 they extended the workshop and built a new reception in order to facilitate MoT testing on-site.

Jim, who was in the Formula One industry before starting the garage, retired from the business three years ago. Alan completed A-levels at college and then worked in the family business when he was 20 ‘because it seemed like the natural thing to do’. Alan ran a Formula Ford racing team from the garage until 2003 when the couple had their first child.

The business employs six people at the garage on Lewes Road, including Paul Markham, who has been there 25 years since he started out as an apprentice mechanic when he left school. They also have some very long-standing customers – a few of whom have been there since the beginning. “Garages traditionally have such a bad reputation. We are always trying to challenge that by giving great service,” Nicola said.

Lindfield Motors is fully equipped to deal with all types of cars, including having the skills and technology needed for diagnostics and testing on newer vehicles, and is open between 8am-6.30pm Monday to Friday.