CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF BOWKER MOTOR GROUP.
Forty years in business is celebrated in style with another transformative chapter in the Bowker family’s automotive history – the acquisition of Porsche Centre Bolton, writes Katie Hammond, Live Magazines.
Paul Bowker, CEO.
The Bowker name has been synonymous with prestige, quality and exceptional customer service in the Ribble Valley and beyond since William Henry Bowker made his first foray into the road transport industry in 1919.
Diversification came in 1984 with the acquisition of Clock Garage in Accrington, which became the BMW retailer for East Lancashire, quickly followed by the franchise portfolio we know today and dealerships in Preston, Blackburn and Bolton. Bowker Ribble Valley is based on the A59 at Osbaldeston, specialising in retailing prestige and sports cars and operating a fully equipped workshop with factory trained ATA technicians who provide all makes of car servicing and repairs, including MOT and tyre fitting.
W.H. Bowker.
As perhaps the most trusted local dealer group with a long-standing reputation for excellence, Bowker is known for offering buyers a premium selection of new and used vehicles, with state-of-the-art Aftersales Centres for BMW, MINI and more recently, BMW Motorrad, INEOS Automotive and of course, Porsche.
A vein running through the history of this dynamic local business from its first inception has been their commitment to a personalised experience, ensuring our customers are heard, looked after and are expertly advised throughout their own individual car-buying experience.
Still very much, first and foremost a family business, Bowker Motor Group’s Chief Executive is Paul Bowker, grandson of William.
Sharing his thoughts on the longevity and the secrets of the family firm’s continued success and growth, Paul explains: “Right from the beginning, the whole ethos of our business has been to put our customers at the centre of everything that we do.
“For Lancashire car buyers, Bowker represents more than a dealership – it’s a hallmark of automotive excellence and trustworthiness. A reputation which we have taken great care to build and protect over our many years in business. “We believe the Bowker name represents more than buying a car – it’s the beginning of a relationship where we aim to create a seamless ownership experience, which sees generations keep returning to buy their cars from us and trust in our aftercare, service and maintenance from thereon in.”
Clock Garage, Whalley Road, 1984.
With the recent acquisition of Porsche Centre Bolton from Lithia Motors Group UK, Bowker continues to expand their prestige automotive franchise, with Bolton joining its geographical sister Porsche Centre Preston, taking Bowker Motor Group’s dealership portfolio total to nine across Lancashire.
Located on Manchester Road and serving Porsche owners and enthusiasts across Greater Manchester since its opening in 2006, Porsche Centre Bolton will now operate under the Bowker Motor Group umbrella, further bolstering the family’s firmly established regional presence.
Paul continues: “It is fitting that the acquisition comes in the year Bowker Motor Group celebrates its 40th anniversary.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Porsche Centre Bolton to the Bowker family. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service to Porsche customers across the whole of the North West.
“In our 40th year in automotive retail, the values on which we built the business when we first started are the same values we see in Porsche Centre Bolton. We are proud to play our part in the next chapter of the Centre’s success and can’t wait to see, in turn, the part it plays in our Motor Group’s exciting future.”
Previously part of the Stratstone network, Porsche Centre Bolton benefits from a modern showroom for new and approved pre-owned vehicles and sector-leading service facilities, including a 12-bay workshop, a customer-facing vehicle inspection bay and a customer lounge with hospitality for customers choosing to remain at the centre while their vehicle is being serviced.
Bowker Motor Group opened Porsche Centre Preston in 2019. Since then, it has established itself as a multi-award-winning dealership. In 2020, it was ranked first in the UK for all aspects of operation by Porsche GB, with a personal commendation from Porsche Cars’ GB Managing Director Marcus Eckerman.
In 2021, the Centre’s commercial partnership with the two Michelin-star Moor Hall Restaurant in West Lancashire was recognised by Porsche GB as the Best Partnership in the UK, praised for its collaborative innovation and creativity.