A BUSINESS boss is hoping free parking will give high street firms a boost in Maldon as lockdown eases. For the last six years, Roy Pipe, of R Pipe Insurance in the High Street, has made a £5,000 donation to Plume Academy. In return, school bosses open up the academy car park and tennis court area to the public for free car parking after school hours on weekdays and at weekends. The initiative is designed to encourage shoppers into Maldon High Street. Plume Academy finance director Richard Scott said: The High Street is one of Roy’s passions, having had his insurance consultancy established there for many years, but it is a mutually beneficial agreement as the donation brings huge benefit to the academy towards our own fundraising as it helps with outdoor maintenance and student resources.
ONE of Essex’s longest established car dealerships is moving out of its home town after nearly 100 years. Established in 1924, Quest Motor Group was founded in Maldon by Jim Gozzett and is now run by grandsons Robin and Martin. The family-run business announced it will be moving out of its home on Wycke Hill Business Park on May 31 after the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic brought for the industry. While it has not been confirmed if there will be any job losses, the company said it is endeavouring to minimise redundancies and “ensure there is a position at our Braintree site for as many of our Maldon employees as possible”.
ONE of Essex’s longest established car dealerships is moving out of its home town after nearly 100 years. Established in 1924, Quest Motor Group was founded in Maldon by Jim Gozzett and is now run by grandsons Robin and Martin. The family-run business announced it will be moving out of its home on Wycke Hill Business Park on May 31 after the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic brought for the industry. While it has not been confirmed if there will be any job losses, the company said it is endeavouring to minimise redundancies and “ensure there is a position at our Braintree site for as many of our Maldon employees as possible”.
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Quest Motor Group will close the doors to its Citroen, Suzuki and Vauxhall multi-brand car dealership in Maldon to bring an end to 100 years of operations in the Essex town.
The car retail group said that the decision to close the location, consolidating its business at its other franchised site 30-minutes away in Braintree, had come in response to a COVID-accelerated shift to online retail among customers.
A statement issued by the group just days before April 12 reopening of car showrooms across the UK said that predictions that “retail is never expected to go back to normal” had prompted it to shift its focus towards increased online retail.
BUSINESS leaders have welcomed the Budget announcement this month, praising it as good news for businesses in Maldon. Allison Gray, owner of high street business Willow and Fox, is the chairman of the Maldon Business Board. She said: “What a year it’s been – let’s hope it is not to be repeated. “Rishi Sunak’s budget news is welcomed by the independent businesses in Maldon, especially the hospitality sector and personal care, who will receive the more substantial restart grants. “The extension of the flexible furlough will also help businesses as they recover, as we do expect it to be a slow start and a long time until businesses fully recover.