Category: MINI
Bowker Blackburn MINI surprised the Little Mix star, Jade Thirlwall’s mother, on Christmas morning by delivering a brand new grey MINI Cooper Hatch!
Little Mix’s tour manager got in touch with Dave Pope, our sales executive for Bowker Blackburn BMW and MINI, after Jade said she wanted to surprise her mother at Christmas with a new car.
Dave says, “I’ve been a friend of the Little Mix tour manager for a while. And he’s bought a car from me in the past. He called me to tell me that a member of the band wanted to surprise her mum at Christmas with a new car. So we started talking about the best way to go about it.
“Jade took an active interest. She knew exactly how she wanted the car to look as it was a special gift for her Mum. She was very specific about the colour for example. So, it took a few different cars to get exactly the right one.
“In the end Jade chose a MINI Cooper Hatch. It’s a great car and an automatic. We built the car using the MINI website to show Jade exactly how it would look. And we explained all the extras.
“The car she chose was off site. So we brought it to the dealership to take it through all the safety checks and prepare for delivery. Then we organised a transporter to a secret location for the grand reveal. We were sworn to secrecy. All our discussions were confidential.
“I think you can see from the reaction on the video on social media that Jade’s Mum had no idea about the surprise. She sounds delighted. I hope she loves the car. That’s what it’s all about.
“We try to treat all Bowker customers like global celebrities. So Jade got a great deal and service just like everyone does!”
Two Lancashire MINI centres have backed a North West cycling adventurer’s bid to become the first person in history to complete the Giro D’Italia on a ‘Fat Bike’.
38 year-old Dave Sims hit national news headlines in 2015 when he became the first person to complete the Tour de France route on a chopper bicycle.
And now, Bowker MINI in Blackburn and Preston will provide Dave’s principal support vehicle during his new Italian challenge in May later this year.
Bowker MINI celebrated the link up with Dave at the launch of the New MINI Countryman on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February. Dave was a VIP guest at the Bowker MINI event at Brockholes nature reserve in Preston.
For Bowker, group marketing manager, Amy Lancaster, said:
“Everyone knows about Dave’s incredible Tour de France challenge on a chopper a couple of years ago. It was an immense effort. But his latest challenge is even tougher – and 800 miles further. He’ll need all the support he can get.
“We’re proud to be backing him. We wanted to work alongside someone who represented the Countryman’s spirit of adventure. And Dave was the perfect fit. We’re especially delighted that Dave joined us for the launch of the new MINI Countryman.
The total distance of the Giro d’Italia – the 100th time the race has been contested – is 2400 miles over 21 stages. The route takes in both the Dolomite and Alpine mountain ranges.
Dave’s fat bike has been exclusively designed by Clitheroe-based Beacon Bikes. Fat bikes are recognisable by their 3.8 inch-wide tyres. The fat tyres are built to allow riding on soft unstable terrain. Dave’s Italian challenge will take in both road and off road segments.
Dave said,
“It’s another challenge that is going to push me to the limit. The bike is even more striking than the chopper. And it’ll need to be at its best for the wide variety of technical challenges I’ll face.
“‘I am very grateful for Bowker MINI’s support. I know I’ll need all the help I can get. It’s the toughest challenge of my life. I just hope I can repay the faith my sponsors and supporters have put in me!”
Dave’s last challenge raised £12,000 for Help the Heroes. This time he is hoping that The Italian Job will raise a further £10,000 for the same charity.
More information about Dave’s challenge is available on Twitter @MPCdave, Facebook @italianjob2017 or Instagram @italianjob2017
When it comes to the upkeep of your car, servicing plays a vital role. Make sure you’re signed up to a servicing programme you can trust, writes Emma Brereton.
The region’s largest state-of-the-art BMW and MINI Aftersales Centre has just opened on Preston Docklands. The new Bowker Aftersales Centre is situated next to the existing Bowker BMW and MINI centres on a 6.5 acre site on Watery Lane in Preston.
This new development is yet another commitment to providing the very best aftersales care to customers. High levels of customer service extend far beyond the purchase of your vehicle and this is reflected with a current customer rating of 4.7/5.
In a break with traditional opening ceremonies, the family-owned motor group has dedicated the Bowker Aftersales Centre opening to its apprentices.
Bowker Motor Group aftersales director Jonathan Rogan said: “We’ve dedicated the Aftersales Centre opening to our Preston apprentices. It’s a simple gesture to recognise the important role they – and all our staff – play in the future of the business.
“With such a massive investment, it would be easy to focus on the bricks, mortar and equipment. But this will transform the way we all work in the future. And our apprentices are a big part of that.”
For customers, the impact of the new Aftersales Centre cannot be underestimated. It is the size of a football pitch and with 30 ramps, car servicing times are now even shorter and servicing capacity has tripled. This means that customers can enjoy even more flexibility and convenience including 24/7 online service booking, while-you-wait servicing, drop-and-go, free local collection and delivery, courtesy cars, wash and vacuum with all work, complimentary wi-fi and a customer lounge with complete with refreshments.
Jonathan continued: “We want our customers to know they are in safe hands, especially when that car leaves the forecourt. The investment Bowker has made is centred around this feeling. A car is a big purchase so make sure you spend your money with a company who appreciates the custom and looks after you once you’ve taken delivery.”
The seven-figure investment in the new Aftersales Centre offers the latest servicing technology including machines which measure tyre tread instantly and wheel alignment in just 90 seconds. And that’s a first for the North West.
“The new facility has a simple focus on creating an even better aftersales experience for our customers,” explains Jonathan. “We can now combine our usual friendly advice with same-day servicing. Furthermore, the increase in capacity means appointments aren’t always necessary. We know our customers lead busy lives so we hope this additional flexibility will make a big difference.”
The opening of the new Aftersales Centre has coincided with national recognition for
Bowker Motor Group’s exceptional performance in aftersales customer satisfaction.
“It’s an amazing site,” says Jonathan. “With 30 ramps, two dedicated MOT lanes and a new laser wheel alignment machine, we are proud to say our car servicing times have reduced and servicing capacity has tripled. This is a huge achievement in itself and we know the new centre will help us to deliver continued excellent customer service.”
Bowker Apprentice Ceara Holmes is one of the six apprentices. She said;
“It’s incredible to see the massive changes here in such a short time. It’s fun to be part of it. I think everyone is enjoying working in the new Aftersales Centre. There’s much more space, and some of the equipment is the most advanced in the country.
“I am lucky to work somewhere where there is so much to learn and for a company who believes in its apprentices so much.”
“The developments in technology are really exciting. We can’t wait for customers old and new to see our fabulous new Centre.” Jonathan adds.
Their BMW and MINI centres on Trident Park in Blackburn and on the docks in Preston have recently finished first and second respectively out of more than 40 similar sized centres in the North. The accolade is awarded by BMW UK and is driven by customer feedback over a six-month period.
Credit: Live Magazines
www.live-magazines.co.uk
It's our 10th anniversary
We invite you to our family fun weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May 2016 as we celebrate our BMW and MINI Centres’ 10 year anniversary on Trident Park in Blackburn.
Take advantage of our FREE 10 minute wash and vacuum for your car. Booking recommended by calling 01254 274444.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
• American style diner food from ‘The Dog House’
• BMW technology demonstrations
• Behind the scenes Workshop tours
• Indoor go-karts and facepainting for children
• Win a MotorSport Track Day or Spa Day for Two
• Celebratory offers on New and Approved Used BMW & MINI
• Classic and rare BMWs & MINIs on display. (BMW Z8, BMW Z1, BMW 3.0 CSL and a MINI Challenge)
Bowker Blackburn BMW & MINI
Trident Park, off Whitebirk Drive, Blackburn, BB1 3NU.
Enjoy £1,000 Loyalty Contribution when you purchase a brand new MINI.
Do you or somebody in your household own a BMW, MINI or BMW Motorrad motorcycle? Here’s a loyalty offer* just for you, exclusively from Bowker MINI.
Until 29 September 2023, we’ll give you £1,000 towards the cost of a new MINI – you can choose to use this towards your deposit or to enhance the value of your part-exchange.
Whether you want go-kart handling on your daily commute, space for all your gear when you head further afield or fancy switching up to electric, the offer is good across our entire MINI range – you don’t even need to trade-in, but you can if you want to!
ONE YEAR FREE CAR INSURANCE.
Enjoy extra grins when you drive away your MINI and take advantage of one year’s free comprehensive car insurance†:
- Repairs guaranteed for 5 years, performed by qualified MINI technicians with MINI parts – keeping your MINI in the best condition
- Uninsured driver promise – protecting your No Claims Bonus and policy excess if an accident was the fault of an uninsured driver
- Car contents and personal belongings cover up to £1,000
- Up to £1,000 cover for replacement vehicle keys and locks
- Up to 4 additional drivers can be added at no additional cost
For more information, please complete the enquiry form on this page and we’ll be in touch. We can help you to discover the optimum time to upgrade to a new MINI, and explore the range to find the model most suited to you.
Alternatively, call Bowker Blackburn on 01254 274333 or Bowker Preston on 01772 761234.