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Bowker BMW enjoyed a successful Lancashire Business Expo 2023, which took place on Friday, March 24th, at the Preston Guild Hall. The event drew in over 1,600 attendees, and Bowker BMW was one of the more than 120 exhibitors offering their services.

At the expo, Bowker BMW provided valuable information on the benefits of electric and hybrid fleets, including details on EV range, performance, and cost savings. In addition, their team of experts was available to provide one-on-one consultations and answer questions.

Marketing manager for Bowker BMW, Amy Lancaster-Hall, expressed her delight with the event, saying, “What a great event! The Lancashire Business Expo is always a fantastic opportunity to meet other local businesses. Thank you to Shout Expo for their hard work, and congratulations on delivering another memorable event.”

The Director of Shout Expo, Jordan Conlin, also praised the event, saying, “This year’s LBE was off the scale – so much fun. Preston Guild Hall was buzzing. We’re all exhausted, but we’re already excited about 2024! A huge thanks to all our partners and exhibitors who made the expo such a huge success and to the visitors who came along to see what the fuss is all about and give our exhibitors the chance to showcase their services.”

The Lancashire Business Expo has become a significant annual event for local businesses, providing opportunities for networking, interactive activities, and exhibition stands. To learn more about this year’s event and see reactions, search for #LBE2023 across social media channels.

BMW UK presented the award to the Bowker BMW Centres in Blackburn and Preston, at a ceremony in Liverpool. The award was one of the national BMW UK Retailer Awards and recognised the family-owned group’s commitment to sustainability. The award also acknowledges Bowker’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Bowker Motor Group’s financial commitment to sustainability in 2022 alone has reached almost £2 million. The business has engaged an Energy Champion to discover smarter ways to reduce their carbon footprint. And, last year, Bowker revealed that it has eliminated all but 95% of its paper transactions and communications. 

The BMW UK Awards were presented at the ACC Liverpool by comedian Alan Carr and TV presenter Edith Bowman. The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of BMW and MINI retailers across the country. BMW UK chose winners in categories including Sales, Marketing, Used Cars, and Sustainability. 

Chris Eccles, Bowker Motor Group director, said: “Thank you to BMW UK for this prestigious award. We are proud that BMW has recognised us for our commitment to sustainability, especially in the first year it has been presented. At Bowker, we take our responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment seriously. And we want to lead by example. 

“This award is credit to the hard work and dedication of our staff. Now, more than ever, we’ll continue to find more ways to reduce our impact on the environment. It’s up to us all to reduce our carbon footprint and make a difference.”

Sustainability has been at the heart of Bowker Motor Group since 2007. In that year, the Bowker centres adopted the ‘Bowker SOS’ (Switch Off Something) initiative inspired by the energy crisis of 1973. Since then, the centres have recycled materials such as glass, cardboard, oil, and even rubber tyres to help the environment. Recyclers reconstitute the tyres to reuse in flooring for children’s playgrounds.

In 2012, Bowker BMW in Blackburn became the first car dealership in Lancashire to install  solar panels on the roof of its Blackburn Centre. At the time, the investment in 210 panels offered a projected saving of £420,000 over the next 25 years. With the spiralling increase in energy costs, this saving is likely to be even more. An emissions saving of almost 500 tonnes of CO2 was also predicted.

The sustainability award also acknowledged Bowker for creating wide-ranging social value. The business demonstrated a focus on improving working conditions for employees and supporting the local community. 

At work, the company is investing in new showers and changing facilities for staff.  From wealth management workshops to professional development for managers, Bowker employees can count on support. And they have sourced uniforms from sustainable suppliers.

Working with local colleges, Bowker has established scholarship and apprenticeship schemes for over 15 years. The group has employed 14 apprentices and recently hired its first female apprentice. Bowker also invites students to experience the motor trade at first hand. The training covers all departments during a 10-day period.

As part of our partnership with the Northern Section of the BMW Owners Club, we are giving a limited number of non-members the chance to experience a group ride out with the Club.

The route will be approx.150 miles, avoiding main roads as much as possible. The Lead Rider, Barry, has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Lancashire-Yorkshire area so an interesting route is guaranteed!

There will be a coffee break at Devil’s Bridge, lunch in Hawes, return via Settle with an afternoon tea break venue to be decided on the day.

Register to join us

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Group Operations Manager to join one of the most prestigious privately owned Motor Groups in the North West with marques comprising Porsche, BMW, MINI and BMW Motorcycles together with a Prestige Used Car Operation.

The responsibilities include Site maintenance and liaising with contractors to ensure that all facets of the businesses run smoothly; Monitoring and maintaining manufacturers’ standards and being audit prepared at all times; Organising staff training and Certification to ensure that annual targets are achieved; Dealing with Group insurance claims and issues; Group Security installations and arrangements, Finance & Insurance compliance administration; Assisting the HR Department and the Health & Safety Consultants and formulating Group processes and documentation etc.

The successful applicant will report to the Company Directors and work alongside all Departmental Managers. They will be commercially astute, computer literate and be able operate under their own initiative with minimal supervision. Travel between Group Sites will be a necessity and occasional out of hours duties will be required. A background with similar operational skills would be advantageous but not essential.

As you will be working with a highly successful and award-winning Motor Group, the position offers:

• Competitive salary with a company car
• 23 days holiday a year plus bank holidays, increasing to 25 days after 5 years’ service
• Preferential rates on BMW and MINI through the Group staff car scheme
• Company pension scheme
• Free tickets to local and national events
• Staff social events

If you consider that you have the right skills and experience, please apply with your full CV and covering letter.

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.

Look out for more Bowker MINI events soon.

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.”

Enjoy £1,000 Loyalty Contribution when you purchase a brand new MINI.

Do you or somebody in your household own a BMW, MINI or BMW Motorrad motorcycle? Here’s a loyalty offer* just for you, exclusively from Bowker MINI.

Until 29 September 2023, we’ll give you £1,000 towards the cost of a new MINI – you can choose to use this towards your deposit or to enhance the value of your part-exchange.

Whether you want go-kart handling on your daily commute, space for all your gear when you head further afield or fancy switching up to electric, the offer is good across our entire MINI range – you don’t even need to trade-in, but you can if you want to!

ONE YEAR FREE CAR INSURANCE.

Enjoy extra grins when you drive away your MINI and take advantage of one year’s free comprehensive car insurance^†:

• Repairs guaranteed for 5 years, performed by qualified MINI technicians with MINI parts – keeping your MINI in the best condition
• Uninsured driver promise – protecting your No Claims Bonus and policy excess if an accident was the fault of an uninsured driver
• Car contents and personal belongings cover up to £1,000
• Up to £1,000 cover for replacement vehicle keys and locks
• Up to 4 additional drivers can be added at no additional cost

For more information, please complete the enquiry form on this page and we’ll be in touch. We can help you to discover the optimum time to upgrade to a new MINI, and explore the range to find the model most suited to you.

Alternatively, call Bowker Blackburn on 01254 274333 or Bowker Preston on 01772 761234.

*To qualify for the loyalty offer, you must have a MINI, BMW, or BMW Motorrad motorcycle registered to your home address and a V5 logbook as proof. No cash alternative. Offer may be withdrawn without notice. Vehicles must be ordered between 10 August 2023 and 29 September 2023 and registered by 29 December 2023. Loyalty offer excludes Excludes MINI Electric.

^†MINI Car Insurance is managed and administered by Wrisk Transfer Limited, registered in England under company number 10657213 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrisk Limited. Registered Address: 45 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BG, United Kingdom. The company is registered in England under company number 09721622. Wrisk Transfer Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Financial Services Register number 788062. This insurance is underwritten by Highway Insurance Company Limited. LV= and Liverpool Victoria are registered trademarks of Liverpool Victoria Financial Services Limited and LV= and LV= Liverpool Victoria are trading styles of the Liverpool Victoria General Insurance Group of companies. Highway Insurance Company Limited, registered in England and Wales number 3730662 is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, register number 202972. Registered address: 57 Ladymead, Guildford GU1 1DB. Tel. 0330 1239970. MINI Insurance Solutions is a trading name of BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, reference number 312578, registered office: Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0FB. BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited and Wrisk Transfer Limited are not part of the same corporate group.