The Car Shop in Beccles under new management after 9 years

The owner of a car shop has handed the baton on after nearly a decade in business.

The Car Shop in Blyburgate, Beccles is undergoing new management as manager Stuart Holman, 56, says goodbye for “semi-retirement”.

Mr Holman first took on the business in 2015 and is now passing it on to Jack Swatman, 23, who has previously worked in the trade.

Mr Holnan said: “The lease was coming up and I didn’t want to commit to another five years.”

“I am not sure it has sunk in that I am leaving yet.”

He said he will still be at the shop for another “month or so” to oversee the transition.

While he has managed the business for the last nine years, Mr Holman said it “seems like yesterday” that he started.

The Car Shop is located on Blyburgate, Beccles (Image: Google Maps) READ MORE: Celebrations at The Car Shop in Beccles

He worked with part-time assistant Tim Miller, who has worked for more than 40 years in the motor trade.

Mr Miller will be staying on covering Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mr Holman’s favourite part of running the shop was “meeting so many people".

He said: “We have fantastic customers.

“It is like a new set of friends in the last nine years.”

The Car Shop has been in Blyburgate since 2009. Picture: CJ Studio (Image: Archant)

He added: “I wish all the best to Jack for continuing the business and hopefully it keeps going for another generation.”

Mr Swatman will be managing the business from November 1 onwards.

He said: “This is a new adventure for me.”

“I am very excited, and it is always what I wanted."

He added: “I am most looking forward to meeting the locals.”

The Car Shop was first established in the late 1980s by founder Graham Smith and moved to its current location in 2009.

The business sells a variety of products including cycle accessories, workwear, batteries, technology such as SATnavs, and repair and paint tools.

Owner of car shop hands ovey keys after nearly a decade at the wheel