LEIGH'S longest established car company has gone to Wigan! Timms and Co, main Ford dealers in the town for the past 89 years, failed to find a suitable premises in Leigh for selling second hand cars. The decision comes after selling their Leigh business to MSF Holdings who will now trade as M & S Ford, Leigh.

Stephen Timms, MD of Timms and Co., said: "It was very sad after so many years to have both severed our relationship with Ford and left the Leigh area. It had become clear during the past two years that Ford's national policy of allowing the big groups to acquire Ford dealerships in neighbouring, smaller towns, spelled the end of many family owned Ford businesses. We have relocated our used vehicle stock to Wigan"

Mr. Timms added that he had searched Leigh for suitable used car premises. Protracted negotiations to move to Leigh Business Park got nowhere.

He said:" We are sorry after 89 years to have moved out of Leigh but pleased to stay in the borough where we are known. Our trading style will change to Timms of Wigan."

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