RETAILERS RAISE THOUSANDS FOR COMIC RELIEF

A Surrey retailer group raised over £2,000 for Comic Relief after donating money for every vehicle sold on Friday March 18th.

Colbornes seven sites, including the Walton-on-Thames and Guildford Volkswagen car and commercial vehicles businesses pledged £100 for every car or van sold.

The group sold 23 last week and so raised £2,300 for the charity.

Liz Luesley, Colbornes’ marketing manager, said: “All staff played their part in what was a fantastic day for the company.

“The customers helped boost the total, with a few even buying their vehicle on Friday, so the money could go to Comic Relief.

“As a business it’s important we donate time and money to charitable causes and we’ll be looking to raise more funds for local charities throughout the year.”

QUARTET JOIN BUSINESS ON THE UP

A Guildford company has been on a recruitment drive to help manage a significant increase in business in 2010.

Colbornes Volkswagen Van Centre has employed three new technicians and a sales executive after an increase of 38 per cent in sales this year.

The company isn’t ruling out further staff increases in 2011 to meet the growing needs of the business.

Gareth Jones from Send, Alex Jones from Brookwood and Steve Fitzgerald from Fleet are the new technicians, joining experience sales executive Julian Booth from Aldershot at the van centre.

Steve Cass, brand manager at Colbornes Volkswagen Van Centre, said: “Julian’s superb track record and understanding of customers’ needs makes him a great addition to help continue the positive direction of the sales team.

“Gareth, Alex and Steve will enable the service area to cope with any further increase in business and bring with them vital experience of the Volkswagen brand.

“All four have settled in very quickly and it feels like they’ve been with Colbornes for a long time.

“The new team will help drive the business forward, making sure customers are offered the right service and advice, whatever their reason for visiting or getting in touch.”

APPRENTICES TAKE FIRST STEP ON CAREER LADDER

Two young car enthusiasts from Surrey have embarked on a three-year apprenticeship with the aim of becoming the best in the business.

Eighteen-year-old Tom Pentecost has been accepted by Volkswagen retailer Colbornes to be the latest recruit on the technician apprenticeship scheme.

He is joined at Colbornes in Guildford by James Moreton who will be the retailer’s first parts apprentice.

Over the next three years Colbornes will invest nearly £60,000 to train Tom through to technician status and James to a fully qualified partsman.

Tom, who has joined from Winston Churchill School, is looking forward to achieving his ambition of working on Volkswagen vehicles.

He said: “I love all types of vehicles and this is the only job I have ever wanted to do. I am passionate about the Volkswagen brand and I want to go as far in my career as I can.

“I am over the moon to I be given this opportunity and very grateful to Colbornes Volkswagen for giving me this chance.”

James said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge and establishing a career within the automotive industry.

“The parts team have been brilliant and I want to show everyone how much this apprenticeship means to me.”

Colbornes’ brand manager, John Walsh, said: “Tom’s passion for cars was one of the main reasons why he’s been given this place on the apprenticeship programme.

“I’m confident he will come through the three years with flying colours.

“The addition of James will strengthen the parts team and help the qualified and knowledgeable team we have here at Colbornes.”