Our History
Nidd Vale is a modern dynamic thinking company, which has been built on solid foundations dating back more than 80 years.
The Nidd Vale brand is one of the best known in the Yorkshire area, always having been operated as an independent motor retailer.
The following “time line” gives an indication of the company’s history:-
Nidd Vale Motors was incorporated in 1920 and was originally located in Knaresborough, as agents for Vulcan Cars and Lorries, plus Excelsior Motor Cycles.
Appointed as an Opel dealer under the General Motors banner in the early 70s and acquired by Richard Jackson in 1979.
Harrogate’s Vauxhall dealer terminated in 1989 and Nidd Vale wer asked to take over the franchise and relocate to Harrogate and cover the enlarged geographic area.
In 1991 the business was relocated to a £1.4m development in central Harrogate and in 1995 acquired extensive preparation and storage facilities in South Harrogate.
In 1997, the company acquired Sandbeck Motors (Wetherby) Ltd, the Wetherby based Vauxhall dealer.
Having been on the preferred dealer list with Mercedes-Benz for some time the group acquired the Grimsby dealer, Alexandra Motors, in 1999.
In 2000 the group acquired for £1.7m the premier site of Appleyards on Leeds Road in Harrogate, retained the Saab franchise and undertook a major refurbishment at a cost of £1m.
In 2001 relocated the Vauxhall business from central Harrogate to the new site on Leeds Road, acquired additional storage space and redeveloped the south Harrogate storage facilities to form an aftersales centre.
In 2001 the group were also successful in becoming on of Mercedes-Benz selected Market Area partners and developed Mercedes in Harrogate, York and Scarborough.
In 2003 Richard Jackson de merged the Mercedes-Benz subsidiary and sold Nidd Vale Motors Limited to the management team lead by Colin Hainstock and Paul Stokes with Richard Jackson and Nigel Pullan remaining as non-executive directors.
In late 2003 obtained the Mazda franchise and in March 2005 the SEAT franchise.
Since the MBO the business has performed successfully and this was recognised by the motor trade when in 2006 it become Motor Trader Franchise Dealer of the Year.
In August 2007 Colin Hainstock decided to retire and this was facilitated by a secondary MBO lead by Paul Stokes and Nigel Pullan who now are majority shareholders of the business. Richard Jackson has been appointed non-executive Chairman and Tony Watson is Finance Director.
In February 2008 obtained the Mitsubishi franchise for Harrogate which has been added to the Leeds Road facility.
In February 2008 acquired the business and assets of Glovers Garages Ilkley which has operated the Peugeot franchise for the past 30 years.