Lakeland Land Rover wins national title

10:22am Friday 9th May 2008

A FAMILY car dealership situated half way up a South Lakeland hillside has been rewarded for its uniqueness and the hard work of staff members, who keep customers coming back time and time again.

Brothers Eric and Jack Hadwin launched their business, Lakeland Land Rover, at Torver, near Coniston, in 1960, before becoming a Land Rover dealer two years later, reports Daniel Orr.

And the dealership's dedication to customer service has now been recognised with the showroom being named Land Rover Sales Dealer of the Year for the UK.

Eric Hadwin, who has now retired from the dealership, but still calls in every day, said: "I think people like the way they are looked after and they like the atmosphere - there's a more laid back feel here.

"The remoteness has been very difficult and we really do have to look after our customers, because you can't sell cars to sheep," joked Mr Hadwin, who remains a director along with wife Anne.

"It works a lot by word of mouth, and we have customers who will spend a weekend in the Lakes and get their car serviced here, and it's actually cheaper to do all of that than get it serviced in London."

Mr Hadwin, whose son Jason is now dealer principal, added: "We have customers from the Shetland Isles, and we have many who come from from Norfolk, who come to get their car serviced here."

Sales manager Paul Smith said: "Winning this award is a wonderful achievement for the dealership and everyone connected. When you think we are competing against larger garages in cities, and here we are up a hillside. People come and seek us out."

Phil Rigby, salesman, added: "I think people come back to us because we are a family business and it is not just about making a quick buck. A monkey can sell a car, but the art is getting people to return."

All of the hard-working staff members were whisked away to delightful Dubrovnik, Croatia, for the awards ceremony, and the morning after receiving the prestigious accolade, they were treated to a powerboat trip along the Croatian coast, before a champagne and oyster breakfast.

Mr Rigby added: "It was a really nice touch and a great experience - something we will always remember."

John Edwards, managing director of Land Rover UK, which enjoyed its most successful year ever last year - with one-in-50 cars sold in the UK a Land Rover - said: "The team here won the award because they do a very good all-round job. They have consistently been in the top ten and this year they did it. One of the benefits is they are a family business. They put the customer first and they have a family approach to it."

The location of the showroom makes it particularly special, according to Mr Edwards.

"It is a unique dealership here," he said. "I have been to dealers all over the world, including Australia, Dubai, and Japan, and I have seen some interesting dealerships, and this is as interesting as any I have seen.

"This location is the roots of Land Rover. It has become a more urban brand now but this is where it all started, with the Defender, and we want to make sure we maintain our roots, and that is why places like this are so important."

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