New Milton Advertiser 27th Nov 2020

Friday 27th November 2020 · 35

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Motoring

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Independent Mark launches his own specialist tyre centre ■ By Glynn Williams MBE, Motoring Correspondent TYRE specialist Mark

spacious 220 sq m workshop houses the mechanical side for the fitting of new brakes, exhausts and batteries – notably Varta - with products from marine and solar leisure specialists Barden Batteries meeting more exacting demands. As with the tyres, TyreMarx promises to have any mechanical parts not in stock delivered the same or following day for speedy repairs. The enterprise with plenty of off- street parking to the front and rear is on the old Keith Motors site in Manor Road, clearly seen just off Fernhill Lane and only a couple of minutes’ walk from the railway sta- tion and main bus routes. Mark, who lives in Christchurch with wife Aimee who is looking after the secretarial and account- ancy side of the business, admits it has proved a challenging time to set up a new business. He said: “These are strange times but I know that I’ve got a really good established clientele, trade and retail, and it is really exciting - our aim is to keep people safe and mobile. “Naturally we are also welcom- ing new trade customers as well as the public. “And the location is perfect – customers can drop off their vehi - cle in the morning and continue by train or bus while we meet their motoring needs.” Joining him at TyreMarx are two former colleagues, with friend of 16 years Paul Miller as number one technician. Encouraging Mark to strike out on his own is business partner James Sharp who owns neighbour- ing Cali Campers, one of Europe’s biggest VW van spares businesses, and made the acre site leased from Keith Motors available to TyreMarx. Mark, standing in the bright tyre

fitting bay where wheels spin on a balancing machine in what was once a music recording studio, says: “Our priority is to provide a really good service with really good quality tyres at attractive prices.” The new centre has been fitted out with more than £30,000 invested in shiny new top quality specialist equipment, including a £10,000 four-wheel laser wheel alignment machine which is a key tool in the TyreMarx customer ser- vice package. Mark said: “We are offering free wheel alignment checks, includ- ing caster and camber - not just toe-in - with a computer-controlled system suitable for every model. “These days it is easy for the steering and suspension to be knocked out of kilter by a pothole or brush with a kerb and if you are spending hundreds of pounds on new tyres it makes sense to ensure the geometry is correct to prevent uneven wear in the future and get maximum fuel economy. “We also offer free checks of batteries and tyre pressures. It’s a simple thing but is a natural part of a professional service.” Other services include puncture repairs and there will also be a range of new alloy wheels on offer for those who want to brighten up their pride and joy. As many new cars are not equipped with a spare wheel, only a repair kit and compressor which is not always adequate, particularly if the sidewall has been gashed by a pothole or kerb, TyreMarx is also offering a local ‘rescue’ service. Here a technician can come out to the customer with the distinctive white TyreMarx double cab pick-up truck with orange and green livery to deal with a tyre problem and take away the offending wheel for tyre repair or replacement. ■

Williamson, a familiar face to New Milton driv- ers for more than two decades, has branched out on his own with his trademark friendly smile welcoming old friends and new customers to TyreMarx, a new centre in the town. It opens for business on Tuesday but there will be a big launch cel- ebration on Saturday next week, 5th December, with refreshments and a month of promotional offers including the chance to win back the cost of two or more new Kumho tyres. Mark (45) is best known for running New Milton Tyres in Old Milton Road for 23 years, originally under the ownership of Bob Bates and the last two as a Micheldever Group branch of Protyre. Now at TyreMarx he is offering all makes of tyres, from budget to premium, not only for cars, vans and pick-ups but also for 4x4s, motorhomes, and small agricul- tural vehicles such as quad bikes and ride-on mowers. Through his long trade expe- rience he has arranged direct supplies of big brand tyres includ- ing Michelin, Pirelli, Continental and Bridgestone as well as using wholesalers. As well as standard tyres TyreMarx is offering winter and all-season tyres such as the Michelin cross-climate type with rubber compounds for maximum grip in cold and wet conditions without the noise and speed lim- itation of full ‘knobbly’ mud and snow tyres so rarely needed in this part of the country. Behind the tyre fitting bay a

Open six days a week TYREMARX is normally open 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm Saturdays, but will be open all day for the official launch tomor- row-week, Saturday 5th December. Therewill be the bonus of free refresh- ments and a chance to check out the facilities and promotional offers. allmakes of tyres, frombudget to premium... for cars, vans and pick-ups [and] also for 4x4s, motorhomes, and small agri- cultural vehicles such as quad bikes and ride-on mowers.

Plans to cater for bikers too

MARK is a keen biker who competed in motocross from 25 years and these days rides a Yamaha R1 sports bike that he takes to circuit track days – and he plans to cater for the motorcycling fraternity at TyreMarx. He said: “Nobody else except big deal- ers does motorcycle tyre fitment on the bike, just loose wheels.

“One of my top priorities for the spring is to look at installing a motorcycle ramp in the workshop to offer this service. “And there’s the social side too – when the weather’s better and the health climate improves it would be nice to offer a touch of Ace Cafe social gath- erings for fellow bikers, perhaps on a Saturday.”

We Stock All Leading Makes of Car and Motorcyle Tyres Varta batteries

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opening offer! £20 off 2 Tyres & £40 off 4 Tyres*