BROTHERS who have run their family garage together for more than 50 years have finally closed their doors on one of Ellesmere’s oldest businesses.

Scott’s Victoria Garage, in Scotland Street, has been at the heart of the community for more than half a century, providing a much-valued repair, maintenance and car sales service to customers far and wide

But now brothers Roger and David Scott have packed away their tool kits and closed the garage doors for the final time.

The move was prompted after Roger, 68, suffered a bout of ill-health which required a stay in hospital.

It was 53 years ago that he began work as a trainee mechanic in a business started by his father, Ken, when Roger left school at 15.

“My Dad had trained as a mechanic years earlier but then went to work as a lorry driver at United Dairies in Ellesmere," he said.

"I’d always loved tinkering with cars from an early age, so Dad gave me the opportunity to work with him in the new business.”

At first, they operated from a disused railway workshop near the old station in Brownlow Road, Ellesmere before taking over from the Hughes family at Victoria Garage – a former Methodist chapel – in the early 1970s.

In 1980, they were joined by brother Dave plus nephew Mark Scott plus mother Kath and over the years have worked on thousands of cars over the years and witnessed many advances in automotive technology.

And he said the news of their closing has been met with tears.

“There’s been a complete revolution over the years,” said Dave.

"But we’ve always tried to keep up with each new development.

“Our customers have been very loyal and some have been with us since Dad started the business.

"We even have a customer in London who likes to bring his car here for servicing while staying with relatives locally.

“One lady was in tears when she heard we were finishing and we’ve had lots of kind messages wishing us well.”

Roger added: “We’d like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years.

“The contact with customers has meant everything and we can’t thank them enough for their loyalty and friendship."