About Us
History and development of the Willoughby Garages Group
Click on a thumbnail to enlarge
In the late 1950’s Jack Willoughby and his brother, Rex, set up a used car pitch in Ilkeston. This led to the family - the two brothers, their sister Jill and their parents, forming Willoughby Garages (NOTTM) Ltd on 1st April 1960 when Beeston Light Car Company on Wollaton Road, Beeston was purchased and a Morris franchise awarded.
Over the next five years, adjoining premises were gradually acquired until in 1965 the site was redeveloped with the current showroom and office block built. The same year saw the purchase of F. Nicholson Ltd from Mr Frank Nicholson who had operated on the High Road site since 1921. A Rootes franchise was awarded and again adjoining premises were acquired to expand the size of the site. Jack Willoughby eventually took sole control of the business and ownership remains with his family to this day.
The late 1960’s and 1970’s were a time of expansion with Rover, Triumph, MG, Wolsey and Riley franchises being added to Beeston and the replacement of Austin for Rootes at Chilwell. These all eventually consolidated under the Rover banner. A bodyshop was built at the Beeston site and the petrol forecourt underwent several re-developments.
By the late 1980’s it was becoming obvious that, with the decline in Rover’s market share, two dealerships within a small area were not needed and in 1991 we were awarded the Peugeot franchise at Chilwell. The opportunity was taken at that time to re-develop the site with a new workshop facility, parts department, forecourt shop and used car site.
The Peugeot franchise proved so successful that within a few years it had outgrown the site at Chilwell. Rover’s market share however continued to decline and the decision was taken in 1997 to move the Peugeot operation to Beeston and at the same time we were awarded the Seat franchise for the whole of the Greater Nottingham area at Chilwell. This again prompted a re-development, this time at Beeston, with the original workshops (built in 1957) being replaced with a £250,000 workshop facility and the opportunity was taken to be one of the first Peugeot dealers to have an Express Fit facility.
The 30th June 1997 also saw the retirement of Jack Willoughby. Ownership still remains with the family, his four children are directors of the companies - Caroline and Stephen are involved in the day to day running of the business and Suzanne and Joanne are non-executive directors. The Board of Directors is completed by John Allum who has worked for the company for 25 years.
Many employees have been with us for many years with Barry Ash - Workshop Foreman at Beeston - the longest standing employee. He started at Chilwell in 1960. We also continue the sense of family by having many employees from the same family including three husband and wife teams.
In January 2003 Willoughby Group took over the Godfrey Davis Peugeot Dealership on Mansfield Road Nottingham, making the Company the main Peugeot Dealership for the whole of Nottingham.
In August 2005 the Group expanded further by adding the Subaru and Isuzu franchises at its site in Beeston.
Willoughby Group now has sole representation for Peugeot, SEAT, Subaru & Isuzu in Nottingham. Despite its growth, the Company holds on to its core values of being a local family dealership and providing the levels of customer care that that involves.
Useful links
› Find your nearest Willoughby location
› Our latest fantastic offers...
Peugeot Nottingham - 0845 121 7711
Seat Nottingham - 0845 127 6526
Subaru / Isuzu Beeston- 0115 922 1778
