A long-standing Sandbach motor business which has been in the town for 37 years has a new owner.

Nigel Coppenhall set up Sandbach Motor Factors (SMF), as at the time, he was a keen rally driver and was always buying parts for his rally car.

The business was first in Old Middlewich Road then Green Street before moving to Bradwall Road.

And now, more than three decades later, Nigel has handed over the keys to a new owner, Matt Wales, who has always wanted to run his own business.

For the last 20 years, Nigel's wife, Diane, has run the business while he has continued his career as an ambulance technician.

Nigel Coppenhall (left) has sold the business to Matt Wales. (Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

Many customers will remember seeing Diane, behind the counter at the Bradwall Road business.

Nigel has paid tribute to Diane's hard work.

"She ran SMF for the best part of 20 years,which in turn allowed me to carry with my medical career.

"Diane opened 12 hours a day seven days a week after Covid, after being shut for three months. She also ran the shop full time for many years gathering a large customer base and friendly face behind the counter making funny Tik Toks to make her customers smile.

"She would go that extra mile to get parts for customers putting in long hours just to keep customers on the road. If it wasn't for Diane Sandbach Motor Factors would not have survived.

"She was the think-tank behind SMF and I truly thank her for that. I would not be doing what I do now if it wasn't for Diane."

He added: "I just thought the time was right to sell. It's time for a change," said Nigel. "I set it up years ago because I was buying so many parts for my rallying.

"I can't thank my wife enough to keeping it going for the last 20 years. She worked really hard to build the business up."

New owner Matt said he plans to keep the long-standing business as it is but make a few additions, including looking at selling on-line.

"We can get most parts in a couple of hours if we haven't got them in stock. The first day I opened I helped a customer get a digger on the back of his truck with a part he needed," he said.

"I've always wanted to run my own business and when this came up, I jumped at the chance .

Sandbach Motor Factor's new owner, Matt Wales. (Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

Matt has worked in customer service management and this is the first business he has run.

He is looking forward to continuing to provide motorists with the renowned level of service Sandbach Motor Factors has built up.

Outgoing owner, Nigel, thanked customers for their loyalty and support of the business over the years.

He said: "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have lasted so long in the town. They have been very loyal to the business."

Sandbach Nub News wishes Matt much success with Sandbach Motor Factors.  

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