TeaBreak: Memoirs of a Motor Mechanic sponsored by 50 www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 A new direction at the end of the road All good things must come to an end and for me, as 2024 draws to a close, it’s a case of new year and new beginnings. I’ve been regaling the readers of Aftermarket magazine with my thoughts on the state of our industry for more years than I care to remember, but the time has come for me to retire — and so this will be my last column. As readers of my musings will know, I’ve been on a bit of a cost-cutting drive of late. Just like many of us in the garage world, business has been tough. However, as the owner of a family-run independent garage, I’ve been able to maintain a loyal customer base that’s kept income steady. I’m still a few years off state pension age and I’ve most definitely not won the lottery, so my decision to call it a day is more about starting to take things a bit easier. However, as Mrs P has told me in no uncertain terms, the last thing she needs is for me to be under her feet every day. Not that she’s home that much with all the community groups she’s involved with. She has even starting taking a ‘basics in car mechanics’ course! Why she never asked me for some advice I’ll never know, but considering all the fallings-out we had when I was teaching her to drive, it makes sense. It was while she was at the local college that she heard they needed someone to work with them in giving some practical training and advice to students looking to take mechanics and engineering courses, to put them in good stead for apprenticeships. I went for the interview some weeks ago and I’m chuffed that I was offered the post. So I’m not turning my back on an industry that has served me well for pretty much all of my working life, but just ‘changing lanes’. It’s only a part-time position but it will allow me to still do my bit to tackle the skills shortage in our industry. Although I’ve sold up, I was delighted to find my apprentice, Jay, a better paid mechanic’s job at a thriving independent garage not too far away. His new boss has told me the lad is already proving to be a boon for the business, and I like to think that is partly down to me. Meanwhile, the editor of this magazine has kindly asked me to stay in touch so who knows… you may hear from me from time to time. Meanwhile, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
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