Gasoline Alley
Name: Malcolm Scatchard
Trading Ward: Bingley
Business Name: Gasoline Alley Ltd.
Email: Contact Gasoline Alley Ltd.
Mobile: 07798 768676
Background of Business
Gasoline Alley is aptly named. It is a vintage and classic car sales business in Bingley, set up by Malcolm Scatchard, of East Morton. For eight years he was General Manager of Charles Sidney, the Mercedes dealership in Bradford, which his father Raymond ran for more than 30 years before retiring. Although Malcolm had managed someone else's company he had no experience of launching one of his own. So he turned to Kickstart for advice and practical support.
Support Journey
Tony Wilson, a Kickstart Business Counsellor with the Bradford Enterprise Agency, based at Bradford Chamber, helped Malcolm draw up his business plan and has continued to advise him following the launch of the business in August 2008. He is also supporting Malcolm in his bid to launch Car Shack, a small business designed to help young people to choose their first car, obtain finance and affordable insurance and learn what to do if it breaks down at the road side.
Where are they now
Although Malcolm has delayed the launch of Car Shack until loan finance to enable people to buy their first car becomes more readily available, his classic and vintage car sales business is trading well. "I am encouraged so far," says Malcolm, adding: "With people getting so little interest on their savings, many are seeing vintage cars as a good investment, as well as something which will add enjoyment to their lives." Vintage cars are those over 25 years old but he also has a wide range of classic cars on sale, from luxury Mercedes saloons to more modest but still popular Morris Minors. "A car made in the 1990s may have a relatively high mileage but it has virtually stopped depreciating, so is still good value."
