Beloved garage known for work on ‘exotic & classic cars’ closes doors after 92 YEARS after heartbreaking decision
A BELOVED family-run garage that’s been serving its local community for nearly a century has closed its doors for good.
R Jackson Motors in Herne Bay, Kent, has been a staple on Bullockstone Road since 1932.
But after 92 years, the independent garage has shut its doors so that long-time owners, Richard and Brenda Jackson, can enjoy their retirement.
In a report by KentOnline, Richard, 72, said: “As Brenda and I are both now in our early 70s, we have decided to retire and enjoy having time for ourselves and walking our dog, Molly.
“I would like to thank our many thousands of very loyal and lovely customers, many of whom have become friends over the years.”
The mechanic shop first opened under the name LH Jackson Motors in 1932, where Richard’s father, Lewis Harold Jackson, repaired cars, lorries and agricultural machinery before the business expanded into selling vehicles and equipment in 1958.
Later, it opened workshops and a showroom on Kings Road and added repair centres on Beach Street.
But after the founder’s death in 1985, Richard and Brenda dissolved the newer parts of the company and focused on running the site on Bullockstone.
Richard added: “We decided we did not want the responsibility of two very large premises and over 30 staff.
“We returned to the Bullockstone site in 1987 and R Jackson Motors was born.”
Following in his father’s footsteps, Richard continued the servicing and repairs of vehicles – while also expanding to the sale and servicing of garden machinery.
Richard said: “I had always wanted to work with cars, that was the family trade.
“My original apprenticeship was in marine engineering, I completed that in the 70s and then went to work for my father.
“We’ve been lucky to work on a number of exotic and classic cars, Ferraris, Maseratis, American Muscle Cars, but also boat motors, lawnmower repairs.
“We even restored two 1923 and 1928 Rolls Royces – it was amazing to work on cars of that age.”
Richard took the time to single out one very loyal customer, Keat Farm Caravans, which first worked with the garage through his father in 1953, and lasted until present day.
Richard said: “I think 72 years is possibly a local record as a long-standing customer, and one we are very proud of.
“We would also like to say a huge thank you to chief technician Lee Harrison and agricultural and lawnmower engineer Tom Howland for all their hard work and loyalty working alongside us for so many years.”
This comes as a pair of veteran car enthusiasts showed what’s under their bonnet as they perch on a 1901 Mors — bringing a touch of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang magic to the road.
Scores of vintage cars drove 60 miles from London to Brighton, not exceeding 20mph, over the weekend, for the world’s oldest and slowest motoring event.
Elsewhere, an incredible fleet of abandoned cars that were sat in a junkyard for decades were recently sold off at an auction – with many fetching millions.