UK Garage & Bodyshop Event – Exhibition Preview 24 www.aftermarketonline.net MAY 2026 Your guide to the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026 If you are attending the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event on 3-4 June, and why wouldn’t you, make sure to stop by stand K58 to speak to the Aftermarket team. On the Aftermarket stand, you’ll be able to pick up the latest issue, sign up for a free subscription and have a proper chat about what matters in your workshop. We will also be talking about Top Awards, so if you have ever thought about entering, or just want to know what it is all about, come and have a chat. Once you have done that, there is plenty more to see in the show. At its core, this year’s event is about giving workshops practical takeaways. That comes through strongly in the Workshop Theatre, where the focus is firmly on realworld topics – diagnostics, repairs, MOT, EV work and ADAS. The idea is simple: you should be able to sit in on a session and walk away with something you can use the next time a vehicle rolls onto the ramp. For those running the business side, the Business Management Theatre is worth your time. This is where the conversation shifts to profitability, staffing, marketing and how to keep the whole operation moving in the right direction. sector. One of the more interesting additions this year is the IAAF Garage Den. Think of it as a chance for suppliers and garages to work together on ideas that could actually make a difference in the workshop. It will be worth a look just to see what comes out of that collaboration. The new Bodyshop Village has also been introduced as a dedicated space for collision repair, bringing together tools, materials and live demonstrations in one place. With support from LKQ Euro Car Parts, the aim is to give repairers the chance to see how new techniques and products actually work, rather than just hearing about them. The event has not forgotten the bigger issue hanging over the industry either: skills. The Ignite Arena returns with a more interactive format, designed to connect new entrants with the trade and show what a career in the aftermarket can look like. And for garage owners struggling to recruit, it is a chance to see how others are approaching the same problem and maybe pick up a few ideas. If all that sounds a bit too sensible, there is still room for something a bit different. The Hot Wings Challenge returns, bringing a less polished, more honest take on industry debate. As the questions get tougher and the wings get hotter, the conversation tends to cut through the usual PR lines and get closer to what people actually think. It is informal, a bit chaotic, but often where the most genuine insights come out. Beyond the headline features, the real value of the show is in being able to see and try things for yourself. On the following pages, we outline some of the highlights you’ll find on the exhibition floor. And there is so much more than we can squeeze into a few columns. So, click the link below to secure your free ticket and don’t forget to pop along to stand K58 to say hi. In addition to sharing what Aftermarket magazine has to offer, we want to hear from you. What do you want to see more of in the magazine? What are the real challenges you are dealing with day to day? Have you got a great story to tell about your garage? Come along and tell us. tinyurl.com/5n7y2z6u
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=