New premises puts auto engineering business in pole position

New premises have been secured for a Worcestershire couple whose passion for classic cars drove them to set up their own auto engineering business.

Roger St Vincent-Pickard is an experienced engineer, including a 15-year career with Jaguar Land Rover, and last year he and wife Rachel launched their Classic Engine Workshop at their home.

But a growing reputation and demand for their services meant their fledgling venture rapidly outgrew the nest and the couple started looking for business premises.

The duo are are now based in 1,187 sq ft of workshop and office space at 10 Dunlop Road, on the Hunt End Industrial Estate in Redditch.

Roger is a specialist in stripping and rebuilding classic engines, with Rachel providing additional labour alongside running the office and looking after their two children, aged eight and ten years.

Rachel said: “We have a passion for the Italian marques but handle a wide range of work, mainly from the ‘50s and ‘60s but currently spanning from a 1920s Rolls Royce to a 2000 Porsche 911.

“Our customers are coming from all over, from Cheshire to Bristol, because our use of social media effectively gives us a national profile.

“We had been looking for premises that looked a bit ‘classic’ but within five minutes of walking into the unit at Dunlop Road we knew it was absolutely right for us. We had spotted it online and got in touch with Ian Parker at John Truslove. He has helped us a few times before and the whole process went very smoothly.”

Ian Parker, joint managing director at John Truslove, secured a five-year tenancy on behalf of South Street Capital.

Clifford Goldhill, from Lawyers Online in Cheltenham, acted for Classic Engine Workshop.