‘Highly recommended' car dealership with nearly perfect review scores suddenly shuts
CLOSING UP 'Highly recommended' car dealership with nearly perfect review scores suddenly shuts
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A HIGHLY recommended car dealership with excellent reviews has closed suddenly.
The Evans Halshaw location ceased trading quietly earlier this month with no warning given.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
The tiny location bought second hand cars from locals
Credit: Google
One of the firms 'direct hubs' the small location in Stoke on Trent ceased trading without a word.
It boasted glowing reviews from happy customers and an impressive 4.7 stars on Google.
The little site in the carpark of a Morrisons could be used by locals to sell or part exchange their motors.
Evans Halshaw has wound down operations in the UK with several dealerships and locations closing across the country.
The move comes after the firm's parent company, Pendragon, was taken over by US-based Lithia Motors last year.
With the takeover restructuring was implemented and it was reported in February that several dealerships would close.
The Evans Halshaw Renault and Dacia site in Doncaster and its Vauxhall sites in Portsmouth and Wolverhampton were earmarked for closure.
The firms Edinburgh Vauxhall dealership was sold off to Arnold Clark as part of the restructuring.
Several of its direct hub sites were also slated to cease trading with the Stoke location shutting up shop this month.
Lithia reportedly cut 250 jobs last year when the US business killed off the 'CarShop' used car supermarket brand.
The Stoke Evans Halshaw Direct Pod was closed without warning and still shows as open online.
Why are so many car dealerships closing down?
By Summer Raemason
According to Business Rescue Expert there are multiple reasons why car dealerships are folding across the UK.
The first major factor is rising online car sales which are beating in-person sales at dealerships.
With an extensive range of comparison and second-hand sites to chose from, may car buyers don't even step foot into a dealership anymore.
Secondly, the actual cost to physically run the sites has soared.
Rent, wages and energy bills have all been increasing for roughly the past five years, putting many out of pocket.
Car manufacturing across the globe was also hit by a semiconductor chip shortage in 2022 which made it difficult to produce new motors.
The high demand with limited supply created a backlog, which although has eased, is still having an impact on the industry.
A third reason for recent closures is the shift to electric cars.
They are becoming more popular, given the Government initiative to be Net Zero in 2050.
The industry is also affected when companies merge or are bought by rivals.
This may lead to some independent names falling victim to the ongoing spate of closures.
The only indication of the impending closure was a small line of text buried away on the Evans Halshaw site.
It read: "The following dealerships ceased trading in May 2025: Evans Halshaw Direct Pod Stoke."
The Sun contacted Evans Halshaw for comment, with the company saying: "The Direct pod at Stoke has now closed for business."
The direct pod in Stoke boasted glowing online reviews with dozens of customers offering four or five stars.
An employee, James, was frequently mentioned and applauded for his good communication.
The site also offered a "very good price" to customers looking to sell their cars according to the reviews.
Customer David Pratt said: "Many thanks to James at Car Store Direct who made the whole experience of selling my car as easy and trouble free as possible, even providing a better price for my car than a number of competitors.
"A very fair and professional service I would have no hesitation in recommending my friend's and relatives to Car Store Direct and James in particular."
3
It ceased trading without a word
Credit: Google
Stephen Wood, another former customer added: "Highly recommend James and the service we received.
"Quick efficient and easy, money arrived in our account earlier than expected, well done."
Craig Kennedy said: "Sold my car today and I must say the overall experience via carstore has been fantastic.
"James was a pleasure to deal with. I would definitely deal with James and the company again if needed."
Jayne Taylor said: "James was very helpful we turned up with a flat battery he helped to restart the car he was very polite and any queries were dealt with really promptly a very easy selling of my car."
All four customers offered five star reviews to the Evans Halshaw location.
Evans Halshaw confirmed that eight dealerships ceased trading earlier this year.
Dacia Doncaster, Dacia Sheffield, Renault Doncaster, Vauxhall Portsmouth, Vauxhall Wolverhampton, Evans Halshaw Direct Pod St Albans, Evans Halshaw Direct Pod Hanworth and Evans Halshaw Direct Pod Orpington all shut shop in January.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
15 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
I know where my car shines on fast rallies... now it's up to me to commit more and lift bar: Josh McErlean
The M-Sport Ford points-scorer made 10th place his own for much of the Tartu-based meeting before gaining a spot prior to the end-of-rally Power Stage when Takamoto Katsuta retired. A solid weekend's work was capped off by Kilrea man McErlean once again getting the better of the more experienced Gregoire Munster in the second of the three works-supported Pumas. The only blot in his copybook came on Saturday's 10.9-mile 'Kanepi' test when the 26-year-old failed to scrub off enough speed as he approached a junction and went off the road into a ditch. Thankfully, quick-thinking – and a heavy right foot – spared his blushes. 'It was a super-fast rally and really enjoyable to drive, and okay, although we were cleaning the road for most of it on the Saturday and Sunday, we now have our brain dialled into these fast roads, how the car works and how and where we can commit,' said McErlean, who now turns his attention to Rally Finland, which will run from July 31 to August 3. 'I think overall, we can be happy with our pace compared to Gregoire, and we now have a quick turnaround for the next round in Finland where we hope we can step it up again. 'We have the experience now – we have done a fast rally in a Rally1 car – so it is all good preparation. 'We did not make any big mistakes, which is good, and that will only help our confidence going to Finland – a place where, if you are low on confidence, it is not ideal. The feeling is okay. Now, we just have to start committing more and trusting the process.' McErlean hopes his performance in the Baltic state over the course of the gravel test is a sign he has got his maiden Rally1 campaign back on track after consecutive opening-day retirements at Rally Italia Sardegna and Acropolis Rally Greece respectively. 'It was nice to settle down a bit after the last two rallies where a couple of mistakes kept us out of the points. It is definitely nice to make it to the finish here in Estonia,' he added. Oliver Solberg, on his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 debut, stunned the WRC with a sensational victory. Despite only being notified of the drive a fortnight previously – and having had the benefit of limited pre-event testing – the 23-year-old secured a breakthrough win by 25.2 seconds.
Scottish Sun
15 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Don't wait until September to buy your kids' school shoes – as supermarket slashes prices by a huge 70%
Plus, the full list of all the places where kids can eat for £1 - or totally free - this summer CLASS ACT Don't wait until September to buy your kids' school shoes – as supermarket slashes prices by a huge 70% Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MONEY-SMART parents are flooding to a major supermarket to snap up school shoes on the cheap. A popular UK store has sent shoppers totally wild after slashing the price of £20 school footwear - and now customers can save a whopping 70%. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 If you're keen to save some cash, it's worth taking a trip to the local Sainsbury's Credit: Getty 2 You'll have to head to buy them in store - as the deal doesn't appear to be available online Credit: ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK While kids may still be enjoying summer fun, it's always good to be prepared in advanced - and if you're keen to save some cash, it's worth taking a trip to the local Sainsbury's. According to bargain-mad Brits, the mega supermarket is now flogging cut-price school shoes - and there are huge savings to be made. Informing fellow parents about the deal, one shopper, Kelly Gillingham, took to Facebook to share the news. Posting on the popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group, the thrifty customer said: ''Sainsburys 70% off school shoes.'' In the post, Kelly also showed off her epic haul, which included black trainers with a star design, originally going for £16 and now slashed by 70%. The mega haul also included a pair of black trainers, retailing for £14 before the reductions, as well as more smart shoes, £20 before the sale. Whilst shopping at the local store, Kelly also snapped up a pair of black shoes with a strap and teeny diamantes - £18 before the epic sale. Sharing the news to the other 2.6million members of the page, the bargain hunter said: ''Not sure if it's in all of them this was Waterlooville.'' If you're keen to get a pair before September, you'll have to head to buy them in store - as the deal doesn't appear to be available online. The post, uploaded less than 24 hours ago, has already taken the internet by storm, winning Kelly more than 220 likes. School banned my daughter, 12, from 'diversity day' for wearing Union Jack dress - the reason was ridiculous Over 210 people flooded to comments where they tagged their friends and family to inform them about the fabulous deal. One told their pal: ''Fancy a trip tomorrow?'' A second chimed in: ''I need to go.'' Full list of kids eat free offers THERE are plenty of chains to choose from offering kids eat free programmes during school holidays. Choose from any of the following... Angus Steakhouse – Kids under 8 and under eat free from the children's menu when an adult orders a meal; available daily from 12pm–5pm. – Kids under 8 and under eat free from the children's menu when an adult orders a meal; available daily from 12pm–5pm. Ask Italian - During school holidays, kids eat for £1 when an adult buys a main. You'll need to get a code for the promotion by filling in a short form on the chain's website. - During school holidays, kids eat for £1 when an adult buys a main. You'll need to get a code for the promotion by filling in a short form on the chain's website. Asda Cafés – Kids' meals for £1 all day, every day across 205 stores nationwide. There's no minimum spend needed. – Kids' meals for £1 all day, every day across 205 stores nationwide. There's no minimum spend needed. Bar + Block – Up to two children under 16 eat breakfast free with each adult buying one all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for £10.99. – Up to two children under 16 eat breakfast free with each adult buying one all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for £10.99. Beefeater – Two kids under 16 can eat free with every adult breakfast bought for £10.99. – Two kids under 16 can eat free with every adult breakfast bought for £10.99. Bellia Italia - Kids eat free every Thursday and for £1 until 6pm, from Sunday to Wednesday when an adult meal is bought. - Kids eat free every Thursday and for £1 until 6pm, from Sunday to Wednesday when an adult meal is bought. Bill's – Up to two kids eat free from Monday to Friday, when one adult orders any main dish breakfast, lunch or dinner. – Up to two kids eat free from Monday to Friday, when one adult orders any main dish breakfast, lunch or dinner. Brewdog - One free kids meal for under 13s, when purchasing an adults main meal over summer holidays. - One free kids meal for under 13s, when purchasing an adults main meal over summer holidays. Brewers Fayre - Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult breakfast for £10.99. - Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult breakfast for £10.99. Dobbies Garden Centres – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main course,available every day. – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main course,available every day. Chiquito - One kid eats free with every adult main purchased overthe school holidays. - One kid eats free with every adult main purchased overthe school holidays. Côte Brasserie - Children aged 12 and under can tuck into two complimentary courses when parents spend a minimum of £20 over the school holidays. - Children aged 12 and under can tuck into two complimentary courses when parents spend a minimum of £20 over the school holidays. Farmhouse Inns – Two kids eat free with one paying adult. – Two kids eat free with one paying adult. Franco Manca - One kid 12 and under get a complimentary individual kids pizza for every full-priced adult main meal from Monday to Thursday during the holidays. - One kid 12 and under get a complimentary individual kids pizza for every full-priced adult main meal from Monday to Thursday during the holidays. Frankie & Benny's - Kids can eat for free every day when any adult meal is purchased. - Kids can eat for free every day when any adult meal is purchased. IKEA – Kids meals start at 95p for pasta and tomato sauce available daily from 11am in restaurants. – Kids meals start at 95p for pasta and tomato sauce available daily from 11am in restaurants. Las Iguanas – Kids under 12 eat free with the My Las Iguanas App during the holidays. – Kids under 12 eat free with the My Las Iguanas App during the holidays. Morrisons Cafés – One free kids' meal with any adult meal over £4.50. The offer is available daily. – One free kids' meal with any adult meal over £4.50. The offer is available daily. Pausa Cafés at Dunelm – Kids eat free with every £4 spent in the café all day, everyday. – Kids eat free with every £4 spent in the café all day, everyday. Premier Inn – Up to two kids eat free breakfast with an adult breakfast, £10.99. – Up to two kids eat free breakfast with an adult breakfast, £10.99. PIzza Express - Kids get a free meal Monday to Friday when an adult meal is purchased during school holidays. - Kids get a free meal Monday to Friday when an adult meal is purchased during school holidays. Sizzling Pubs – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main meal, Monday to Friday between 3–7pm. – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main meal, Monday to Friday between 3–7pm. Tesco - Kids eat free, worth £4, when you purchase anything from the menu including fruit for 65p if you're a Clubcard holder - Kids eat free, worth £4, when you purchase anything from the menu including fruit for 65p if you're a Clubcard holder TGI Fridays – Kids eat free with any adult main meal for Stripes loyalty members, available all day, every day. – Kids eat free with any adult main meal for Stripes loyalty members, available all day, every day. The Real Greek – Kids under 12 eat free with every £15 adult spend on Sundays only. – Kids under 12 eat free with every £15 adult spend on Sundays only. Yo! Sushi - Kids eat free all day with a full-paying adult during local school holidays. - Kids eat free all day with a full-paying adult during local school holidays. Whitbread Inns - Two kids under 16 eat breakfast free with every adult full breakfast, £20.99. '' I could see if there is any flashing ones,'' someone else commented. But whilst many were flooding to buy a pair for their little ones, not everyone was raving about the over - as one disappointed customer claimed their purchase fell apart. The disgruntled Sainsbury's shopper said: ''They don't last 5 mins. ''Last year thought I wouldn't buy Clark's too expensive .. so purchased cheap supermarket one ''4 new pairs this year so Clark's is a better option… she is now at high school and only wants kickers.''
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We put the spotlight on all-new Mazda CX-5 and Kia EV6 GT
Mazda claims the third-generation CX-5 is crafted to adapt to modern life and will build on the success of its predecessor. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John puts the spotlight on the all-new Mazda CX-5, which will go on sale in the UK next summer, and the blistering Kia EV6 GT. Next year will be huge for Mazda UK with the new all-electric 6e arriving quickly followed in the summer by the all-new CX-5 SUV, which was revealed this week. The new Mazda CX-5 is a bold evolution of its best-selling SUV and features a refined design, intuitive technology, and an optimised 2.5-litre petrol engine. Mazda claims the third-generation CX-5 is crafted to adapt to modern life and will build on the success of its predecessor. It retains the iconic shape of the current model while advancing Mazda's Kodo - Soul of Motion design language and integrating the latest Skyactiv technology - first introduced with the original CX-5 back in 2012. The new 12.9- or 15.6-inch centre display delivers smartphone-style interaction with customisable menus. For the first time in a Mazda, the all-new CX-5 with Google built-in makes every day driving easier. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and streamlined steering wheel controls help ensure essential information is delivered clearly. Higher grades also include a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Evolved under the design concept of 'Wearable Gear', the latest iteration presents a sportier, more confident form, suited to both urban and adventurous driving. New proportions and the extended wheelbase enhance road presence, stability and interior and boot space, increasing overall practicality for daily use. Designed for family life, the all-new CX-5 now has an additional 61 litres of boot space, wider-opening rear doors and a 40:20:40 split-folding bench for extra versatility. The cabin offers a clean, spacious and calming environment crafted with refined materials. A simplified layout that wraps around the entire front contributes to a driver-focused yet family-friendly atmosphere. Key features include a new centre console with enhanced storage and - on higher trims - a panoramic sunroof that emphasises openness. Ambient lighting on the front door trims, exclusive to the range-topping Homura grade, adds to the cabin's refined and tranquil environment. The all-new CX-5 is offered in four grades - Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, and Homura - each with distinct interior finishes and equipment. Interior options include black or tan leather (Homura) and a two-tone black-and-white artificial leather and suede-like finish (Exclusive-Line). Underneath the bonnet, the all-new CX-5 is powered by a 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G 141ps petrol engine, paired with 24V Mazda M Hybrid technology with a brake-by-wire system, replacing the previous 2.0-litre base unit. This engine delivers confident performance with improved torque for quicker response, seamless acceleration, and better driving comfort. Producing 141ps (104 kW) and 238 Nm of torque, the front-wheel drive variant accelerates from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds. Available in FWD and AWD, the all-new CX-5 benefits from chassis and suspension updates, providing enhanced ride comfort and road handling. With a towing capacity of up to 2000 kg, the latest CX-5 is more capable than ever - ready to keep up with active, on-the-go lifestyles. Equipped with a comprehensive suite of updated ADAS features, the all-new CX-5 targets a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating. Jeremy Thomson, managing director, Mazda Motors UK, said: "The Mazda CX-5 is an incredibly important car in Mazda's history and I'm excited for the third-generation model to join Mazda's SUV line-up next year. "From the launch of the original first-generation car in 2012, the CX-5 has been a hugely popular choice for UK SUV buyers who have loved its style, quality and driver engagement, and having recently surpassed 100,000 sales in the UK, it's clear this ever-popular SUV has seen amazing customer loyalty and satisfaction." He added: "It's incredible to look back and consider just how much the UK market has changed since the CX-5's launch in 2012. "The huge increase in the popularity of SUVs means that today the CX-5 sits alongside the 2025 Mazda CX-60, all-new Mazda CX-80 and the smaller Mazda CX-30 in our line-up, but it was the success of the award-winning CX-5 that established Mazda as a maker of genuinely sporty SUVs, which deliver class leading quality and high levels of standard equipment." Also unveiling a new vehicle is KIA, who is proving that you can make electric vehicles exciting with the latest GT version of its EV6 model. Priced from £59,985 it delivers near supercar performance in a practical package. The EV6 has a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds with an astonishing top speed of 161mph possible. I did not get anywhere near the claimed 279 mile range, mainly because of the hot weather and having to use the air-con at full blast, and partly because it was tempting to use the loud pedal. The EV6 GT has improved battery performance and is powered by a new 84kWh battery pack that is 8.5 per cent bigger than the previous generation EV6 GT battery. It is powered by an all-wheel drive, dual-motor drivetrain, making the GT is capable of producing up to 641bhp and 770Nm of torque - an increase of 64bhp and 30Nm over its predecessor. Along with neon green brake callipers front and rear, neon green piping throughout the interior, and a neon green 'GT' button on the steering wheel, the new model boasts various premium and performance-focused improvements including Virtual Gear Shift technology, simulating a six-speed paddle-operated transmission. I was not a fan of the neon green inside the cabin and found the stripe at the top of the steering wheel particularly annoying as it was always in my eye line. The gear shift technology is a first for Kia and when activated, provides drivers with new visual, audible and tactile cues to make the car more engaging. The model also features an enhanced GT Mode, a dedicated drive mode activated using the neon green button on the steering wheel which sharpens up steering responses. GT Mode also changes the theme of the 12.3-inch driver display screen, with more neon green details and a new font for the speed and range readouts. Kia says the new EV6 GT can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in just 18 minutes from a fast charger. Inside, the previous glossy piano black materials have been replaced with a brushed metal-effect finish, reducing the accumulation of fingerprint smudges throughout the cabin and the car is fitted with electrically powered front bucket seats. The car is covered by Kia's seven-year 100,000 mile warranty with the motors and battery pack covered for eight years. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
