6 Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, May 13th, 198il ROOTS OF A GOLDEN


ONE o f Burnley’s major business con­ cerns began in a small back street garage with faith, hope . . . and very little charity. Two local en tr e p ­


reneurs, steeped in the then burgeoning motor trade, with high hopes and a low bank balance (it is thought to have been in the region o f £250^ sparked off what has today grown into a mas­ sive commercial giant which needs every square inch of its 7k£-acre Accring­ ton Road site in which to operate. Ami it has its roots firmly planted in the financial security of the City of London. The name of Holden


and Hartley is today sy­ nonymous with the town’s historic and commercial links with the motor in­ dustry. It is now surely the


envy 'of many lesser suc­ cessful companies. The Holden and Hartley sales and service complex oc­ cupies one of the biggest sites for this type of trad­ ing in the area — possibly over a much wider area as well. And it all began way back in February 1932,


when Messrs Hairy Hart­ ley and the late Richard


“Dick” W. Holden first hung out their shingle as a garage and service sta­ tion in Burnley’s Cliviger Street. .Both gentlemen actively


participated in running the business, which was mainly devoted to. used vehicle sales and vehicle repairs.


EXISTENCE Before that, the two-


storey garage had been owned by one Hartley Clegg, then operating as a local main Ford dealership for which Mr Holden was employed as foreman. It was when this business ceased trading that the Holden and Hartley name came into existence. The garage, and indeed


the street, has long since disappeared from what now accommodates an ironmonger’s shop at the


junction of Yorkshire Street and St James’s Street — but Holden and Hartley’s, four “removals”- later, remains as one of Burnley’s biggest and most successful commer­ cial concerns. Today the firm deals


in not only repairs and sales of used vehicles but also every single facet of the car industry trade — from new vehicles, includ­ ing cars, vans, pick-ups .and giant trucks, to cara-


Three-page .advert feature by Bert Bolton


vans, basic to luxury, painting, repairing', etc., etc.


Not only has Holden


and Hartley the capabili­ ty, the know-how and the experience to build any of the vehicles they deal in from scratch, but they will also carry out any type of repair or paint­ work. You name it in the motor trade, and Holden and Hartley are very much involved. A far cry from the days


when it was all just begin­ ning and the workforce, including the two princi­ pals, numbered a mere five.


The current payroll is ’


in the region of 85 — and all loyal to a man, and woman. That’s another facet of the company which is worth a second thought — but more of that later. . Way back, in 1932, with today’s golden jubilee a pipe dream still 50 years away, it was work; work and more work. The two- s to re y building was adapted so that cars could be hoisted up to first floor level, and the service “ p its ” positioned at


APART from sel­ ling a full range of Vauxhall and Opel cars, Holden and Ha r t l e y


al s o


specialise in Bed­ ford commercial vehicles, from 6cwt vans to 24 - ton monsters. They also operate a


24-hour recovery for both light and heavy vehicles; run commer­ cial vehicle mainte­ nance contracts; and carry out accident re­ pairs, resprays, two- tone paintwork, styl­ ing stripes and even sign-writing.


They carry out


brake repairs includ­ ing work done on fixed pricing systems.


The Accrington


Road complex con­ tains a special fitting centre for Panorama sunroofs, claimed to be “the tops” in glass sunroofs. The service centre


is also an official dealer for Landi Hartog, the liquid petrol gas installation specialists; Zemco car


THE roomy Vauxhall Astra hatchback


: protection treatment for your vehicle, Holden and Hartley can offer a service second to none in this field. They also carry out “ instant” (well, nearly!) MoT tests for


computers for “ fuel management and cruise control” , the electronic eye which keeps a careful watch on motoring economy. If you require a thorough underbody


.the motorist in a hurry.


A huge amount of


for repair, Holden and Hartley will provide you with a hire car at special discount rates. The caravan sec­


tion, Red Rose, offers a caravan servicing facility,- along with sales, touring caravan hire and a well stock­ ed accessory shop.


the firm’s capital is tied up in providing a comprehensive over- the-counter parts stock for Vauxhall, Bedford and Opel. If you want parts, try dialling 31111 as your first move. If your car is left


ground floor level — be­ neath the first floor cars. Nothing like today’s


ultra- modern workshops, but the repairs and ser­ vicing were carried out with an h one s t en­ thusiasm which saw them expanding to take on the franchise of Rover, Re­ nault and Dodge trucks by 1934. As the level of business


increased, so the staff began to swell. Then a small car showroom was opened in Yorkshire Street — and Holden and Hartley began to feel that they had really-arrived. The increase in busi­


ness, particularly in the commercial vehicle field, soon made it blatantly ap­ parent that more “elbow room” was needed than


that afforded by the small Cliviger Street-premises.


So, when a site became


avai lable in Church Street, within the shadow of St Peter’s Church, the company moved into a completely new building.


TRADITIONS Many will remember


these premises, and the traditions which Holden and Hartley built upon in this area of the town from the day the fac ility opened in 1939. ■ Just as the new enter­


prise was getting into its stride, the strife clouds gathered and the second world war was declared. Towards the end of this


conflict, the firm relin­ quished-the Royer franch­ ise and took on the Stan­


dard-Triumph dealership in its place '


This single. move cre­


ated the volume of vehicle ' sales being looked for by the company. It was. at about this time; too, that the company moved into the financial market — with the foundation of its own hire purchase financ­ ing facility, the subsidiary called Harcoden Limited.


One' of the major turn­


ing points in the firm’s history came in 1948 when the Dodge franchise was given up and the Vauxhall — Bedford retail dealer-, ship took its place.


A main dealership ap­


pointment for these .makes followed about two years later, cementing a trading relationship which exists to this very day.


In fact the change-over


proved to be a trading m i le s ton e fo r the company. Once again the lack of


space began to make its non-existence felt and the company bought land ad-


joing its showroom and garage complex, and the whole site was re-de- veloped to provide im­ proved facilities for vehi­ cle sales and generally to give the business more breathing space and a chance to continue to expand. Time passed, as they


say, and in 1958 came the most significant operation­ al move. The business of Holden


and Hartley (Burnley) Ltd, was purchased by Maden and Ireland Li­ mited — and the financial subsidiary of Harcoden Limited was bought up by North-West Securities at about the same time. Maden and Ireland Ltd.


were no strangers to the area and its commercial life. A public company, they were engaged in the manufacture of shoes and slipperk in the nearby Rossendale Valley. They took the firm over


at a time when business was booming, and was running into the now


PARTS and accessories are second to none THE lively Vauxhall Cavalier GL saloon -


familiar problem of lack of space. Further expansion was


considered vital to the continuing success of the company, so. in 1960 came a move which will be remembered quite clearly by the majority of Burnley’s motoring public — the acquisition of pre­ mises‘ known as Thomp­ son’ s Mill, Trafalgar Street. At last Holden and


Hartley had a site on which they could develop


to put them in the fore­ front of the car and truck trade, not only in Bum- ley but over a wide sur­ rounding area. And they went about it


in no uncertain manner. The mill premises were


partially demolished and the mill chimney was brought down. In its place, a car deal­


ership complex was cre­ ated which was the talk of the town. The site was transformed into every­ thing a motor business of


the 1960s required — showrooms, offices, work­ shops, a vast parts de­ partment, petrol forecourt and even c .a r wash


facilities. When the new complex


was ready for occupation the owners decided to separate certain opera­


tions. The Vauxhall-Bedford


and Renault franchise sales operation, and all the extensive business/ carried out in the car and van maintenance field, was


housed in the newly-de­ veloped premises, while


. the Standard-Triumph sales operation, the used


car sales and' commercial vehicle service facilities remained at the Church Street complex. At this time the busi­


ness expanded a little further — taking on vehi­ cle accident repair work. Linked with this new move was the opening of a large vehicle painting department and work­ shops.


Clitheroe 22324


(Editorial); 22323 (Advertising). Burnley 22331 (Classified)


Our Sales Department, headed by Manager Mr E. Stone, is actively engaged in the sale of new


Vauxhall and Opel cars and used cars. The Vauxhall range of cars caters for the family through to the Company Execunve. .The smaller Chevette, Astra and Kadett cars cover a range of 30 different models,


TRUCKS & VANS PARTS & SERVICE LP GAS & PETROL


including saloons, estate and hatchback variants. The widely acclaimed all new Vauxhall Cavalier covers a range of 15 models powered by F.W.D. 1300 and 1600 O.H.C. engines, this model is speedily establishing itself in the fleet market.


Executive models include the Carlton estate and saloon, the Viceroy, Royale and Opel Monza and


Senator range. Our qualified sales team have all gained membership of the Vauxhall Guild of Master Salesmen. Commercial vehicles cover requirements from 6cwt. vans to up to 20 ton trucks. Our salesmen total


three, one of our commercial team is a full member of the Bedford Transport Specialist Association. Our modern Service Department is fully equipped to carry'out all repairs including mechanical, paint


and body work on the full range of Vauxhall, Opel, Bedford vehicles. Its capability also covers the repair of almost any other make of car and caravan. Also covered by this Department is a range of specialist requirements which include L.P.G. (Liquid Petroleum Gas) conversions to most petrol propelled vehicles. Bygging underbody treatment with a six year anti-rust guarantee, the 100 plus body glazing treatment, Panorama sun roof fitting, a brake clinic covering all makes of car with menu pricing and specialist body


■paintwork, including signwriting. Mr K. Widdup, the Service Manager, who has been awarded the QUALITY DEALER GUILD AWARD, will be pleased to quote firm prices for all body, paint and mechanical repairs, including contract maintenance on commercial and private vehicles.


To back up our after-sales service our Parts Department, managed by Mr E. Parsons, who has been


awarded MEMBERSHIP of the PARTS AND ACCESSORIES SALES MANAGERS GUILD, carries a comprehensive stock of parts and accessories totalling £165,000, to cover Vauxhall and Bedford models from 1965 to the current 1982 model range..


The parts delivery van covers a radius of 25 miles from Burnley on a daily basis. The latest addition to our Accrington Road facilities is the sale of Liquid Petroleum Gas (L.P.G.). This


is dispensed from our petrol forecourt and there is easy access to the dispenser. Our Service Department


1 is an approved Landi Hartog Agent and our trained staff can' convert a petrol driven vehicle to run off- L.P.G. within two days. The advantage of L.P.G. over petrol is the saving of approximately 50p per gallon. Our Service Manager will be pleased to discuss the price of conversions and other advantages to L.P.G. users.


Our Caravan Department has recently taken up the Swift, Mardon and Avondale franchise. This range


of caravans covers the basic van for the D.I.Y. man through to the luxurious two and four berth caravans with hot and cold water, refrigeration, oven, central heating and double glazing.


Mr G. Deakin, the Manager, a keen caravaning enthusiast, will be most willing to discuss all aspects of caravans and caravaning.


Come along and enjoy the fun on our Golden Jubilee Open Weekend THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MAY 15th and 16th, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.


HOLDEN & HARTLEY (BURNLEY) LTD


ACCRINGTON ROAD, BURNLEY. T E L . 27321 (OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK)


*■«1> IS fi G M VAUXHALL rT_ O P E L


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20