A FAMILY garage that has been a mainstay in Wiveliscombe for more than a hundred years, is moving out today (Friday, April 30) after shocked residents learned it was closing when notices appeared a week ago, writes Sue Mitchinson.

Jones Automobile Engineers, in West Street, stopped fuel sales last Saturday, closed the shop and workshop on Tuesday this week, and announced it had been bought by Sterling Petroleum Limited.

The new company, founded in 2020, which has 20 forecourt and supermarket sites in England and Wales, with headquarters in Ragland, Monmouthshire, has already started work to redevelop the garage forecourt, and will establish a Londis convenience store in the existing shop for the time being.

“We hope to have the smaller shop and petrol pumps ready in two to three weeks, but the bigger picture is going to be about doing a proper survey and a planning application for a supermarket where the current workshop is,” Sterling Petroleum owner Mr Theepan Nakendram said.

He confirmed the new company would be taking on existing staff and introducing an extra super grade of petrol, but would not have a workshop. It has also applied for a 24 hour alcohol license.

For owner Peter Jones, who has run the forecourt, workshop and Aladdin’s cave of a shop for the last 35 years, along with his wife Barbara, it is an emotional end for the family firm his grandfather Leonard started in 1920, and his father Raynor ran before him.

His family lived in the house opposite and the garage, which in those days was on the main road to Devon, was part of his life since he was a little child.

“I’m very much part of Wivey and will remain so,” said Peter, who now lives just behind the garage. “I was born here, I went to school here, I married here. You couldn’t find a better place to live.”

“It is sad to leave and I’m not normally an emotional person,” said Peter, who was visibly overcome as he talked, “but I must admit I was humbled by how everyone has been, all the handshakes and well wishes.”

He said he had been determined to sell the garage as a going concern in spite of other offers, and persevered to find a company that wanted to keep the petrol pumps and take on existing staff.

Now only Reg Taylor, 86, and one other employee will be leaving, while the other four attendants and office staff stay on.

Reg, who went to work at the garage almost 62 years ago, said: “Wivey was very different back then, it was the A361 main road to Barnstaple. I saw many a jam with caravans and lorries stuck.” Now he is planning on enjoying photography with his nine cameras, as well as playing his accordions, in retirement.

The Wiveliscombe community has been awash with memories and thanks to Peter and the staff, not only for their service over the years, but also for making sure the site would remain as a garage.