Category: News
Bowker BMW in Blackburn has confirmed its highest-ever first quarter turnover in history.
Over 500 cars were sold from the motor group’s BMW, MINI and Car Centre dealerships on Trident Park off Whitebirk Drive in Blackburn in the first three months of the year – with 300 cars sold in March alone.
The total turnover for January, February and March in 2014 exceeded £16 million.
Managing director Chris Eccles said,
“The team at Blackburn have performed exceptionally well. The figures mean we have a firm foundation not just to succeed for the rest of the year but to allow further investment in people, training and our facility.
“What gives me the greatest of pleasure is the fact that our busiest trading period in our history been achieved with exceptional levels of customer service. Whilst only 10% of the UK dealer network have reached 20 star status; Bowker Blackburn has achieved 20 Star status again – that’s every year since the launch of the star rating programme.”
Last month, Bowker MINI employee Daniel Gibson won the coveted title of National MINI New Car Business Manager for the Year at a glittering ceremony in London. More than 200 other UK business managers were considered, but Daniel’s results for customer satisfaction and retention ranked him higher than the competition.
Daniel’s success came in the month that Bowker Motor Group were also finalists in the ‘Best Retail Group’ category and Bowker Blackburn finalists in ‘Excellence in Aftersales’ at the 2014 Automotive Management Awards.
Bowker Blackburn was a finalist in ‘Accessorisor’ and Bowker Group in ‘Marketing Guru’ at the 2014 MINI Oscars.
Phil Curwen of Bowker Blackburn Car Centre has challenged himself with running the Paris Marathon followed by the London Marathon the following weekend. Being a keen runner Phil has run the London and Paris marathons previously but never imagined he would be competing in both in the same week at the age of 63. “I have struggled to get a place in the London Marathon over the past few years so have competed in Paris instead, this year I applied for both and have been lucky enough to be accepted for both!” explained Phil. “My theory is if I’m fit enough for the first one and don’t get any injuries I can do the second one. I am aiming to finish in less than 5 hours for each race whilst collecting vital funds for the Samaritan centre in Preston.”
Volunteering as a Samaritan for more than 20 years, Phil understands how important donations are to keep the centres running. “We need roughly £1,000 a week to run the centre and we rely solely on donations as we don’t get any sponsorship. I would love everybody I know to donate a couple of pounds, sadly people usually think they have to give a large donation but you don’t need to, every pound really does count and quickly adds up.”
If you would like to donate to support Phil through the average 800,000 steps he needs to complete each marathon please visit his just giving page at www.justgiving.com/philip-curwen1