A FAMILY business which started out with a garage and workshops in Witney’s High Street is celebrating 50 years in the town.

The Witney Motor Co, now at Station Lane, has been run for the past 20 years by Stephen Elsmore and his wife, Amanda.

They have seen many changes since the business was set up in 1958.

Mr Elsmore’s father, Trevor, started by selling and repairing cars and a petrol pump on the site now occupied by the Wesley Walk shopping arcade. “Customers used to come through an archway which opened up into the workshops,” said Mr Elsmore.

“In those days, there was no Welch Way and the High Street really was the main street in the town.”

His father relocated the business, retiring in 1996, soon after they decided to stop selling new and second-hand cars.

He died earlier this year.

As a local company, they have seen many changes both to the town and the motor trade in the last 50 years.

“We once had 45 staff. Now it’s just a small team of four of us,” said Mr Elsmore, who joined the family business in 1978.

“The days when we were selling cars and petrol, doing car rental and body shops, are all long gone.

“Small country town garages are not what they were.

“Witney used to have Ford, Rover, Vauxhall, and other dealerships. There’s only Kernahan’s left now, in the High Street.

“Car sales these days are not lucrative for small, local businesses.”

Witney Motor Co now restricts itself to servicing, repairs, and MOTs of all make cars of car.

He added: “But, as far as we are concerned, we’re still here.”

“And we’re thankful for our customers, some of whom have been loyal to the company since the 1950s.”