Bowker BMW has partnered with Preston North End’s Community and Education Trust to spread some Easter joy for children who benefit from the trust’s work across Preston.

The campaign will distribute Easter eggs to low-income families, food banks, and some participants in the most deprived areas of Preston.

The Easter eggs will be distributed in the lead-up to Easter, over the Easter weekend. They will also be given out at Preston North End’s home fixture against Reading on Easter Monday. 

Jonathan Rogan, director at Bowker BMW, was happy to support the initiative. He said: “We know what a great job the Preston North End’s Community and Education Trust do for local people. That’s why we were only too happy to donate these Easter eggs. As a business, we are committed to supporting our local community. We hope this donation will bring a smile to the faces of friends and neighbours in local communities who need it most.”

Community Partnerships Co-ordinator Brad North for PNE Community and Education Trust said: “We really appreciate the donation from Bowker BMW. It allows us to provide Easter Eggs to those most in need at this time of year. They will be distributed locally. From previous years we know that children who receive the eggs will love the Bowker donation.”

The PNE Community and Education Trust deliver initiatives that create safer, stronger, and more resilient communities. It also provides educational programs in sport, enterprise, and citizenship to support children who may face challenges with traditional learning environments.

Three technicians at Bowker Motorrad have achieved ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation) accreditation for BMW motorcycles.

23-year-old Shannon Barton-Constable, who joined the Preston Docks dealership in January 2019, has had an impressive year. Not only has she become qualified as an MOT tester, but she has also qualified as an ATA qualified BMW Technician. 24-year-old Aaron Garth and 29-year-old James Spencer have also qualified as BMW ATA Technicians at the same assessment.

ATA is a national voluntary scheme that tests individual skills in the retail automotive industry. It also appraises commitment to an ethical code of conduct. The accreditation recognises and benchmarks each applicant’s technical knowledge and competence.

“I’m excited to have achieved the ATA qualification,” said Shannon. “It is still early in my career, but I already appreciate the importance of industry qualifications. Each new certification builds my confidence and customers’ confidence in me too!”

ATA accreditation is valid for three years. The process ensures that individuals keep pace with vehicle technology and ever-advancing repair methods.

Richard Rawlings, aftersales manager at Bowker Motorrad, said: “Shannon, Aaron and James have shown real dedication and commitment to their roles at Bowker Motorrad. We’re proud to support their professional development and congratulate them on their achievement. They are a great example to anyone interested in a technical career regarding how you can progress with hard work and focus.”

In 2021, whilst at Preston College, Shannon negotiated a deal to donate a 1250cc BMW engine to the college’s motorcycle engineering department. Usually recycled or broken up for parts, the engine will allow over 90 automotive engineering students to apply their learning practically every year.

To find out more about careers at Bowker Motor Group, visit www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk/careers.

Bowker Motor Group and Ciceley Motorsport revealed their first partnership in the pursuit of national motorsport glory.

The collaboration sees Bowker Motor Group’s BMW centre in Blackburn become the official parts provider for the Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport Race Team. Bowker BMW will also support Ciceley Motorsport with two sponsored cars.

The agreement comes at the start of Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport’s first Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship series driving BMW 3 Series with drivers Tom Chilton and Adam Morgan. 

Bowker and Ciceley have been pillars of the North West business community for over 100 years and almost 50 years respectively. Bowker Motor Group’s sister company Bowker Transport is a customer of Ciceley Commercials too. The friendship between the family businesses doesn’t stop there.

Blackburn-based Ciceley Motorsport driver Adam Morgan, and third generation of the Morgan family who owns Ciceley, reveals: “Both our families go way back. It goes beyond business. My grandad Brian Morgan and Bill Bowker were great friends. Subsequent generations have grown up together. And both families make no secret of our shared passion for Lancashire and motorsport. That’s why Bowker BMW’s support for this 2021 British Touring Car Championship season means so much.” 

Bowker Motor Group director Chris Eccles said: “We’ve watched Ciceley Motorsport’s successes over the years with great interest. We love to see other Lancashire families flying the flag for the county on the national stage. Ciceley Motorsport team’s switch to BMW presented the perfect opportunity to agree a closer relationship with the team. We are excited to be involved and can’t wait to be part of the fun as this year’s British Touring Car Championship story takes shape.”

At Brand Hatch last weekend, Adam Morgan claimed the ninth victory of his BTCC career, leading from start-to-finish in round nine of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the famous Kent venue.

Bowker BMW joins other Car Gods with Ciceley Motorsport sponsors including North West-based Car Gods, Tetrosyl and Nitrox Fuel Additives.

Preston-based motorcycle retailer Bowker Motorrad has sponsored British Superbike Championship racing team PR Racing since the 2017 season.

A Bowker Motorrad apprentice has negotiated a deal to donate a motorcycle engine to Preston’s College Motorcycle engineering department.

When new, the 1250cc boxer engine would cost over £5,000. Now, thanks to quick-thinking Shannon Barton-Constable from Southport, the engine will be available for students to test their technical skills.

Shannon, a level 3 motorcycle engineering student at Preston’s College, has been an apprentice at Bowker Motorrad on the docks in Preston for three years. She spotted the engine swapped from an iconic 2019 water-cooled BMW R 1250 GS in the workshop. That’s when she approached Motorrad managers with a proposition.

Shannon takes up the story: ”Most of our theoretical learning at college comes to life when we have real life engines to interact with. When I spotted the engine had been removed, I wondered if there was an opportunity for the college and students to benefit. I discussed the idea with my manager. And that’s when he agreed to donate the engine.

“It will be great to see the engine in the workshop at the college. I’ve been with Bowker Motorrad since 2019 so I’m lucky – I work in and around engines like this most days. But now, other engineering students can enjoy hands-on experience of a BMW motorcycle engine too.”

Normally, engines would be recycled or broken up for parts for other operators in the supply chain. This decision to donate instead will mean more than 90 Preston’s College automotive engineering students each year will be able to apply their learning practically on the motorcycle engine. 

Mike Franklin-Smith, work-based tutor at Preston’s College said: “Thank you to Bowker Motorrad for their donation and Shannon for her quick thinking!  Our students enjoy the very best of theoretical and practical training. But nothing can compare with getting your hands on the real thing.

“The donation of the engine will enhance the learning experience for both current and future students. Better still, it further increases the reputation of Preston’s College as the number one choice for learners wishing to study motorcycle maintenance and repair.”

This motorcycle maintenance and repair apprenticeship is ideal for students wishing to specialise in motorcycle repair and maintenance. The apprenticeship includes both theory and practical aspects covering the mechanical and electrical systems on motorcycles. 

For Bowker Motorrad, aftersales manager Richard Rawlings said: “Well done to Shannon for spotting the opportunity! Throughout the Bowker Motor Group our relationships with local schools and colleges are very important to us. The engine we donated will offer students a hands-on experience with the latest performance engineering technology.”

We’ve outrun jet fighters, ended up in orbit, let children take over the dealership and received visitations through magic tins of beans.

Here, we take a trip down memory lane with the complete collection of Bowker Christmas Videos over the years.

Which one was your favourite?

2011 – 12 Days of Christmas

2012 Children Takeover the Dealership

2013 Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

2014 Sproutometer

2015 Car-aoke

2016 Doggie Test Drive

2017 Telephone Challenge

2018 Bowker Beans

2019 Here’s to Lancashire Families

A big Bowker thank you to everyone who took part in the Bowker MINI Halloween Drive Out this year.

On Sunday 27th October, more than 30 cars and 80 passengers in fancy-dress left Bowker MINI in Blackburn from 10am, before completing a spooky circuit of Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

The annual creepy car cavalcade wound its way to the final destination – Samlesbury Hall – for brews, bacon and prizes, before a Ghost Tour for hardy souls whose nerves can still take it.

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Look out for more Bowker MINI events soon.

The Bowker MINI Centre on the docks in Preston has a new manager.

55-year old Peter Turner from Wigan is a familiar face at Bowker. He was originally an employee of Bowker Motor Group between 2002 and 2008. 

Most recently, he enjoyed successful sales management roles with motorcycle retailers Bowker Harley-Davidson from 2014 and then Bowker Motorrad – both also in Preston.

And, during a 27-year career in automotive retail, Peter also managed the Bowker MINI centre in Blackburn between 2007 and 2008.

Away from work, Pete is married to Vicky and has two sons, Adam and Liam. Peter is a keen rugby league player and fan. 

Peter said:

“It’s good to be back with MINI. The Centre in Preston has a close-knit group of loyal customers. We enjoy events and drive outs together. I’m looking forward to keeping up the good work with the kind of motoring retail experience our MINI customers deserve.”

Peter’s first events included the annual Halloween MINI Drive Out in October and a sneak peek at the new MINI electric in November.

The Bowker MINI showroom was opened in Preston in 2001 and extended in 2013. Three years later the centre became the first in Lancashire to complete refurbishment with a new open-plan layout; space for up to eight cars and complimentary coffee bar and refreshments. 

A former Clitheroe Grammar School student has won through to the world final of a prestigious amateur golf tournament.

21 year-old Louis Barrett, from Wilpshire, will represent Bowker BMW in Blackburn at the BMW Golf Cup International in South Africa in March 2020.

The Royal Lytham and St Anne’s and Clitheroe Golf Club member beat more than 25 amateur golfers from throughout the UK at the national final in St Andrews. 

Playing off a handicap of five, Louis managed to score 37 points in difficult, windy conditions, eventually winning by two points.

Louis will now compete amongst 150 finalists from over 50 countries for a chance of winning the coveted title on the Fancourt Golf Resort.

Now in its 37th year, over 100,000 golfers have competed in earlier rounds of the BMW Golf Cup globally.

For Bowker BMW Chris Eccles said:

“We are all sports fans here at Bowker. And many of our staff and customers are keen golfers. That’s why we’ve been so pleased to follow Louis’ success in this year’s competition. 

“It’s an incredible achievement. Louis’ performances throughout the competition have caught the eye. And the dealership is proud that one of our customers will be representing Bowker BMW Centre in Blackburn on such a prestigious global stage.”

Louis is the second golfer representing Bowker BMW to make it through to the national final at St Andrews in as many years. Last year, Elaine Hough, from Newton, qualified to represent the region thanks to successive victories at Pleasington and Royal Birkdale.

A Bowker BMW employee has become one of the youngest in the country to reach BMW Group Technician Status.

Daniel Lovatt-Henshaw, 19, from Longridge works as an automotive technician at Bowker BMW on Trident Park in Blackburn. He has passed a series of online, practical, diagnostic and theoretical tests to achieve the nationally-recognised standard. His final assessment took place at a full-day at the BMW plant in Oxford

Expertise

Daniel’s expertise now includes mechanical and electrical systems, computer-based test equipment, braking systems and safety inspection. 

Bowker BMW in Blackburn is one of the most qualified service departments in the UK: one Master technician; one Senior technician; three BMW Technicians and nine BMW Service Technicians – all with Automotive Technician Accreditation. 

Bowker BMW service manager, Stewart Rose, said:

“Daniel is a smashing lad and a great example of what a keen interest and hard work can achieve. When he joined us as an apprentice when had an obvious enthusiasm for the motor trade and a hunger to learn. 

“It’s not just about learning the trade – Daniel has become a valued member of the team. And his success will no doubt inspire our next intake of apprentices too.”

Three years ago Daniel was honoured for outstanding achievements at the annual Blackburn College Apprenticeship Awards. He won the Overall Apprenticeship Award, from a total of more than 16 apprentices. Daniel also won the Young Apprentice Award from the Business, Computing and Motor Vehicle department.

The former St Cecilia’s RC High School student had been working as an apprentice at Bowker BMW on Trident Park in Blackburn, whilst studying the Level 2 Motor vehicle course at Blackburn College.

First

Daniel was one of the first Motor Vehicle apprentices to study at the new £5.5 million Regional Automotive Technology Hub (RATH) Centre. The RATH Centre opened in August 2014 specifically for students who want to work in the motor vehicle industry.

Bowker Motor Group’s apprentice loyalty program means apprentices joining the group receive a £7,000 cash bonus after seven years of service. Anyone interested in more information about becoming an apprentice at Bowker Motor Group can visit http://www.bowkermotorgroup.co.uk/careers 

Andrew Holden, who works at Bowker BMW and MINI in Blackburn, has been honoured as the best Motability specialist in the country.

The award recognised Andrew as the best from over 18,000 motability specialists in the country. It acknowledges consistently high standards of service and support to customers of the Motability Car Scheme throughout 2018. 

What is Motability?

The Motability Scheme is the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people. It provides affordable, convenient, worry-free motoring to over 600,000 disabled customers and their families. 

Andrew joined Bowker over five years ago, but has over 15 years experience in the role at dealerships throughout East Lancashire. Last year, Andrew was commended as one of the top two Motability specialists in the country.

Andrew said:

“I was commended last year. And that was a proud achievement. So to go one better this year has been a wonderful surprise. I work hard to help our motability customers enjoy the very best options that the scheme has to offer. 

“In many cases we see time and time again how a car transforms our customers’ quality of life. So it’s a particularly rewarding part of the motoring retail industry. And I’m proud to be a part of it.”

The Motability Scheme Dealer Awards

The Motability Scheme Dealer Awards programme rewards best practice and ensures customers receive exemplary customer service across the nationwide car dealer network. 

With prizes available across nine categories, the awards are judged on how a dealer delivers the Scheme to customers, and is assessed by customer feedback and reviews of their Motability Scheme performance. 

Richard Povey, dealer development manager – Dealer Relations at Motability Operations Ltd, said:

“We are extremely proud of the achievements all our winners, including Andrew at Bowker BMW and MINI, have achieved. It’s great to see the high level of service delivered by our dealer network and we are pleased to present the latest 2019 Dealer Awards. The annual Awards allow us to thank dealers for providing consistently positive customer service, highlighting those who are doing it well and encouraging others to do the same. 

“It is a testament to the outstanding standard, professional approach, and expert knowledge of Andrew at Bowker BMW and MINI that he has been recognised as a winning specialist – congratulations to him for his well-deserved 2019 Dealer Award.”