A new car sales and repairs centre has opened in Richmond.

Browns of Richmond, based in Racecourse Road, in the Gallowfields Trading Estate, offers MOT, tyres, batteries, exhausts, servicing and vehicle sales.

The centre will fully open in September, employing about 20 staff and having up to 100 vehicles in stock, however, is now open for car sales and servicing.

Business partners Fraser Brown and Tim Roelich said they prioritise integrity.

Mr Brown said: “For more than 80 years, the Brown side of our family have been synonymous with automotive excellence, spanning four generations.

“Our journey began when my grandfather Malcolm Brown arrived in Richmond in 1948 as a member of the Green Howards. Stationed in what is now known as the Garden Village Richmond, he become deeply involved in vehicle use and maintenance, particularly with the Army trucks of the Green Howards.

“After his military service, Malcolm transitioned to Richpack, located on Gallowfields Trading Estate – the very site where Browns of Richmond stands today.

“Richpack’s use of ex-Army trucks for egg collection from farms across Richmondshire and the Great Ayton area further honed his automotive expertise.

“Following in his father’s footsteps, my father Paul Brown apprenticed at BOC in motor vehicle mechanics. His career intertwined with vehicle maintenance, alongside worldwide ventures in the oil and gas industry and domestic plumbing across the Dales.”

Fraser Brown embarked on his automotive journey at 19, initially with main dealers before venturing globally with manufacturers like Volkswagen and Audi.

However, his heart remained in Richmondshire, where he raised his family.

Award winning co-founder and director Tim Roelich, who runs the dealership, has worked with Mr Brown in automotive dealerships for the last 20 years.

Mr Brown said: “His detailed knowledge of vehicles, helping customers and managing teams made him the ideal person to run the dealership day to day.”