In this latest episode of Your Garage, Alex and Nathan head to Nottingham and Mansfield with the Lindleys team as they take on two very different expansion projects. From a high-street acquisition years in the making to the surprise opportunity of a former Volvo dealership, this episode shines a light on the real challenges of scaling an independent garage group.
The Long Road to Acquisition
The first stop is a high-street site in Nottingham — a deal that nearly didn’t happen. After six or seven years of waiting, negotiations finally opened up again. What followed was a long, complicated process of lease agreements, landlord discussions, and moments where the team nearly walked away.
Despite the frustrations, Lindleys pushed through. The result? A nine-bay workshop in a prime location, surrounded by local businesses and foot traffic. It’s not perfect — the site needs a serious refurbishment, new marketing, and investment in staff — but it’s a big step forward.
Taking a Gamble on Mansfield
Next, the team travel to Mansfield to reveal their second site — a closed Volvo dealership that came available at just the right time. Unlike the first location, this was a lease-only opportunity with no goodwill, meaning a blank canvas but also no existing customer base.
The building is spacious, light-filled, and surrounded by industrial estates full of potential fleet customers. But while the opportunity is huge, the risks are clear. Opening a greenfield site means paying staff and covering operating costs from day one — often before the first job has even come through the door.
Two Expansions, Two Challenges
What makes this episode stand out is the contrast between the two sites:
- High Street Acquisition – High upfront costs, but an existing presence and immediate bookings.
- Volvo Dealership Lease – Low initial cost, but a slow start and the pressure of building a customer base from scratch.
Balancing both projects at once is no easy task, especially when they’re opening in the same month. But with a central support office in place, strong partnerships, and a clear fleet strategy, Lindleys are betting on both models to succeed.
Lessons for Garage Owners
This episode is packed with takeaways for anyone thinking about expansion:
- Negotiations can be long, painful, and emotional — but the right site is worth the fight.
- Timing is rarely perfect. Opportunities often come when you feel least ready.
- Buying goodwill can give you instant momentum, while greenfield sites need patience and cash reserves.
- Centralised support can help new sites hit the ground running.
- Partnerships with suppliers and networks are critical to surviving the early days.
Looking Ahead
Alex, Nathan, and Leo will revisit both sites in six to twelve months to see how the gamble has paid off. Will the high-street branch deliver on its potential? Can the Volvo site carve out a strong foothold in fleet?
One thing is certain — this is expansion in its rawest form: risky, exciting, and a must-watch for any garage owner thinking about growth.
