Category: BMW

Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn have hosted a ‘Gifting Tree’ for the second consecutive year. 

The ‘Gifting Tree’ appeal supports The Wish Centre, a local refuge for women and children affected by domestic abuse.

Staff and customers at Bowker BMW and MINI gathered and donated gifts for residents of The Wish Centre, with a tree set up in the main reception area adorned with tags that contain age, gender, and size information for gift recipients. The initiative provides gifts for individuals who have faced hardship and are starting new lives away from difficult circumstances.

Chris Eccles, Bowker BMW and MINI managing director, said: “We received a lot of support for the Gifting Tree last year, so to enjoy this support again is great. We know this is a difficult time of year for families in the refuge, so we’re grateful for any gesture from customers and staff that can help brighten their holidays.”

The Wish Centre offers essential services for individuals affected by domestic abuse, including emergency accommodation, counselling, and advocacy. The Gifting Tree is part of Bowker’s commitment to supporting these efforts by making the festive season feel more hopeful for those affected.

Rebekah Wilson from The Wish Centre said: “Thank you so much to Bowker BMW and MINI. The Gifting Tree reminds residents that they aren’t alone. Simple gifts mean a lot to children and families who have left everything behind, and it really does make a difference knowing people care. We are grateful for all the support from businesses just like Bowker at this time of year.”

A Lancashire motor dealership has renewed its sponsorship of a Preston youth football team’s kit in memory of a dearly missed colleague.

This season, the under-12s team at Springfields FC will wear new shirts, shorts and socks thanks to a renewed sponsorship by Bowker BMW in Preston.

Paul ‘Crowey’ Crowhurst, who passed away in 2021, was a long-serving employee at Bowker BMW and the Chairman of Springfields FC.

Paul had worked at Bowker BMW for over 15 years before his death and was known for his dedication to grassroots football, particularly at Springfields FC.

Jonathan Rogan, Head of Business at Bowker BMW in Preston, said: “Paul is still hugely missed here at Bowker. He was such a passionate member of staff, never more so than when it came to Springfields FC. He was a great coach and selfless Chairman. That’s why we’re proud to continue sponsoring the under-12s team in Paul’s memory. We wish them all the best for the season.”

Springfields’ under-12s play in the Central Lancashire League. Springfields FC is a community club in Preston that offers football coaching starting at age five. Teams compete from under 7s through to adults.

Danielle Gore, Secretary and Treasurer at Springfields FC, said: “Thank you to Bowker BMW for renewing their sponsorship of the under-12s kit. These are young players in the team that Crowey first coached. We’ve created a trophy in his name too.

“We want to always remember how much he gave to the club and continue to inspire more youngsters in his name – just like the hundreds of other players and parents who benefited from his hard work on the committee and as our Chairman.”

Last year, more than 20 Bowker Motor Group employees successfully completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in Crowey’s memory – a challenge he’d completed himself several years earlier. By completing the 24-mile, 5200-feet climb in around 12 hours, Bowker staff raised over £4,000 for St Catherine’s Hospice.

Bowker BMW has partnered with Pleasington Golf professional Stephen Malone.

Bowker BMW’s collaboration with PGA Performance Coach Stephen Malone is part of a broader BMW UK strategy to connect with the golfing community and support the growth of golf in Lancashire. 

This approach aims to capitalise on golf’s increasing popularity and alignment with BMW’s core values, including sustainability and luxury. By partnering with local golf professionals like Stephen, Bowker hopes to blend inspirational sporting and coaching experiences to inspire more people to take up the sport.

For Bowker BMW, Chris Eccles said: “It’s more than just golf; it’s about promoting a sustainable future and bringing new energy to the sport. Stephen is a great coach and a perfect partner to help us inspire more people to play the game. With BMW’s support, we can impact on and off the course.

“By supporting local talent and development through this collaboration, we can make a difference to the sporting community and even help a little to create local economic and social benefits.”

Stephen Malone is a PGA Performance Coach offering guidance to all levels of golfers, from beginners to playing professionals. With a raft of accreditations, he is an AimPoint Certified Instructor and Scott Cowx Advanced Instructor. Stephen’s online academy and coaching have achieved success in over 10 countries, and he has been providing online tuition for over five years.

Stephen Malone said: “Working with Bowker BMW allows me to bring something unique to the Blackburn community. It’s exciting to think about how to grow the sport locally and engage more people, especially younger players and women, who are just starting to discover golf.”

The partnership coincides with more people taking up golf post-pandemic. According to recent statistics, the number of registered golfers has risen by 5.6% since 2020, now totalling approximately 4.6 million players. 

The sport’s growing appeal among diverse demographic segments also presents a valuable opportunity for BMW to introduce its electric vehicles (BEVs) to an audience that values sustainability.

As the partnership progresses, Bowker BMW and Stephen Malone plan to host various events that showcase the best of golf and sustainability. Over the summer, Pleasington Golf Club will host a range of events.

The events will also offer the ideal setting for Bowker BMW to demonstrate the latest electric vehicles. Many golf clubs have adopted sustainable practices, aligning well with BMW’s commitment to electrification.

Bowker BMW has announced a strategic partnership with performance coach Laura Greenbank to inspire and support more women golfers in Lancashire. This initiative is part of BMW’s broader strategy to engage with local communities through golf.

Laura Greenbank has over 18 years of experience and a specialised qualification in Golf Psychology Coaching. She brings a unique perspective to the partnership with Bowker BMW. This collaboration is designed to elevate mental strategies and performance for local golf enthusiasts, with a particular focus on women and young players.

Laura’s academic background includes a BA (Hons) in Primary Education with a specialism in English and Physical Education, alongside qualifications in Counselling and Mental Health First Aid. She is currently studying for her Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Laura’s decision to start her business, LG Golf Psychology Coaching, blends her Sports leadership coaching skills across several sports with her knowledge of the mental aspects influencing sports performance.

Laura said: “Partnering with Bowker BMW is a fantastic opportunity to reach more golfers, especially women, who want to improve their game. Understanding the psychological aspects can profoundly impact performance. Thanks to the new video series, I’m excited to share my tips with more players across Lancashire.”

The initiative by Bowker BMW aligns with a new BMW UK Golf initiative, highlighting the importance of community engagement at an exciting time for the sport. Golf has seen a notable increase in participation post-pandemic, with a 5.6% rise in registered golfers since 2020, emphasising the growing interest from women and juniors.

Jonathan Rogan, director, for Bowker BMW, said: “The sport of golf promotes not only physical health but also mental well-being. That makes it a perfect match for our brand values, particularly sustainability and community support. We’re excited to partner with Laura and hope many more golfers will be inspired to take up the sport.” 

Laura added: “Golf is more than just a sport; it’s a tool for personal development and mental resilience. I look forward to helping our local athletes achieve their best, both on and off the course.”

The partnership between Bowker BMW and Laura Greenbank will include a range of initiatives, including workshops, personalised coaching sessions, and community events.

These activities are designed to promote golf as a vehicle for health and personal development. By fostering local talent and encouraging participation in local golf events, this collaboration will not only enhance the golf community but also contribute to community cohesion and economic activity.

For more information on the partnership click here.

Bowker BMW is investing a million pounds in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and 50 new electric charging points. 

With one in five UK cars now being battery-electric vehicles, the decision to install new charging points at Bowker on Trident Park in Blackburn reflects the increasing popularity of the growing BMW and MINI hybrid and electric models.

Bowker BMW is already one of the top 25% performing dealers in the UK for electrical vehicle (EV) sales. A high proportion of these sales go to local Lancashire businesses – who will now benefit from the new 22 kw and 50 kw charging points.

For Bowker Motor Group, Chris Eccles said: “This is fantastic news for Bowker and our customers. By investing in new EV chargers, we are addressing some key priorities for Bowker Motor Group. We all know that new chargers are a more environmentally friendly approach to powering vehicles. This is a global trend towards eco-friendly technology.

“Better still reinvesting in our business benefits the local community. We’ve used local contractors to install the new chargers. And by using local suppliers whenever possible, we help build a stronger local economy.”

Similar new chargers went live at Bowker BMW and MINI in Preston earlier in the year. Lancashire-based electric charging installer Smart EV Solutions is installing the new Bowker Motor Group EV chargers. Based in Preston, Smart EV Solutions specialises in commercial and domestic electric charger installations. Established in 2020, the Preston electrical contractors have already installed more than 100 EV chargers and have seen substantial growth in the number of investment companies installing EV chargers over the past 12 months. 

The EV charger investment continues Bowker Motor Group’s long-held environmental focus. This began ten years ago, when Bowker BMW in Blackburn installed 206 new solar panels on the centre’s roof. Since the five-figure installation, the panels have delivered CO2 savings estimated at almost 500 tonnes. That amount is equivalent to the amount of carbon sequestered by 80,000 trees grown from seedlings during the same time.

Then last year Bowker Blackburn installed 323 more. The move will allow the car centre to generate a quarter of its electricity needs from solar energy. It will also help reduce its carbon footprint by saving 26 tonnes of carbon emissions.

For over 15 years, Bowker Motor Group has recycled glass, cardboard, and even rubber tyres that are reconstituted for reuse, including flooring for children’s playgrounds.

Bowker BMW technician Mick Eastham has retired after 47 years with the company.

Mick Eastham, from Preston, began his career in 1977 at Kinders Garage. He joined Bowker Motor Group shortly after, dedicating his professional life to the company and witnessing significant changes in the automotive industry over the decades.

Over the years, Mick has seen numerous advances in automotive technology. In the 80s, technicians had extensive time to service vehicles, performing tasks such as stripping brakes and tuning engines. Today, improved oil quality and digital systems allow for faster and more efficient service.

Mick said: “In the old days, you just got a job and you fixed it. Now, with digital systems and quality oils, we can do more miles and work quicker. It’s a big change from how things used to be.”

Most recently Mick has worked at the aftersales centre at Bowker in Preston. Bigger than a football pitch, the centre is located on a 6.5 acre site on Watery Lane in Preston. It has 30 ramps, two dedicated MOT lanes and a state-of-the-art laser wheel alignment machine.