Auto repair specialist to double headcount following £1.8m funding boost
Independent auto repair business, MB-Liverpool, has secured £300,000 of funding as part of a £1.8m multi-party project funding package which will double its headcount.
The business, which works on Mercedes, BMW, Mini and Land Rover and electric vehicles, received the £300,000 funding from the River Capital Business Growth Loan Fund.
It was introduced to River Capital by Chris Johnson, of Bespoke Property Finance, and the investment will allow the company to complete the development of its new auto repair facility in an area of Liverpool currently going through extensive urban regeneration.
The new 1.011 sq m facility, located at 2-4 Athol Street, will enable MB-Liverpool to double its capacity compared with its previous location, on nearby Great Howard Street, with eight vehicle ramps and an MOT ramp and will, in time, be fully equipped to service the rapidly growing electric vehicle market with electric charging points and specialised EV-trained technicians.
Founded in 2011, by Shaun Murphy and Scott Walsh, MB-Liverpool has grown from the two co-founders to a team of seven experienced technicians with many joining as apprentices who have gone on to become fully qualified under the owners.
With the new site due to open the staff growth is anticipated to be via the same route.
The new Athol Street location will feature energy-efficient LED lighting, sustainable exterior cladding, and a training room and office suites which will assist in creating seven new jobs, in addition to safeguarding the existing seven roles.
River Capital Investment Manager, Jim Moore, said: “MB-Liverpool is exactly the type of ambitious, growth-oriented business we aim to support through the River Capital Business Growth Loan Fund.
“Shaun Murphy and Scott Walsh have built an impressive independent auto repair operation offering dealership-quality service at a better value for customers and their new eco-friendly facility in Liverpool’s upcoming regeneration area positions them perfectly to capitalise on increasing demand, especially for electric vehicle maintenance and repairs.”
Scott Walsh said: “This £1.8m total investment, including £300,000 from River Capital, is a game-changer for our business. Our new state-of-the-art facility in Liverpool will allow us to vastly increase our capacity and offer even better service to customers.”
Chris Johnson said: “It’s been a pleasure to support Scott and Shaun, by structuring a multi-lender funding package to assist with the development of the fantastic new premises located on one of the main routes into Liverpool city centre. This relocation will take the business from strength-to-strength and provide a fantastic facility.”
