Motor Garage Fox’s of Guildford Closes Blaming Covid-19

Published on: 21 May, 2020
Updated on: 22 May, 2020

by David Rose

The well known motor vehicle repair and service garage Fox’s of Guildford has closed for good, blaming Covid-19.

Motor vehicle repair and servicing garage Fox’s of Guildford has ceased trading.

A notice on the window at the garage on Midleton Road, at the foot of Woodbridge Hill near the Guildford Business Park, dated May 11 states: “This garage is now closed and will not reopen. We have been beaten by Covid-19. We would like to thank all our customers over the last 20 years for your valued custom.”

Notice informing customers the business has closed.

Facebook members who follow posts on the Guildford Past & Present page were shocked at the news first posted there today (Thursday, May 21).

Replies included: “The most trustworthy garage in Guildford.”

“That is so sad to lose yet another Guildford business, their site was always well maintained with their beautiful display of summer flowers, always brought a smile when passing.”

“Honest hard-working people, always courteous.”

“Used them a lot of the time because they were so good.”

The garage’s service manager, Robert Short, also added a comment: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who presented much loved cars for repairs, etc. But when the government deferred MoT testing for 6 months and implemented the lockdown this had a huge impact. But I wish all our customers well in these uncertain times. Take care.”

Fox’s of Guildford’s website states the business is closed until further notice.

Although the motor-vehicle maker Dennis Bros’ large factory complex was once close behind the small garage buildings giving the impression it was a part of it, it was not.

Local directories list it as being occupied by 1939 at least by a signwriter and cellulose sprayer by the name of George Stillwell.

The business later changed its name to Stillwell & Co, and continued to trade until about 1967, when it was listed in Kelly’s Directory of Guildford & Godalming as being cellulose sprayers.

The 1969 Kelly’s lists a business there by the name of Mercury Snow Control Ltd, and in the 1971 Kelly’s as G. W. Drinkwater & Sons, precision engineers.

In 1973 Trevor Fox took over the premises, repairing and servicing motor vehicles.

He built up a good trade with a small dedicated team changing very little even after he retired and the business taken over by new owners in about 2000.

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