This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly.
This week, we spoke to Andrew North, director of Alexanders Prestige, the luxury car specialist based in Boroughbridge.
Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does.
We buy, sell and service all makes of prestige, luxury and supercars. We’re based in Boroughbridge and we’ve been looking after our national clients for 20 years.
What’s the most expensive car you’ve sold?
A very rare Porsche 911 for £650,000.
What does it require to be successful in business?
You’ve got to love what you do. It’s important to employ the right people, who have the same beliefs and work ethic that you do. And one thing all businesses need to recognise: cash is king!
What drives you to do what you do every day?
Probably my huge overheads!
I love what I do and I’m a car enthusiast. I’m always trying to find new ways to adapt to the marketplace, which is ever-changing, both from an economic and a digital point of view.
You’ve got to be constantly on it, and more than ever, that means digitally. Apart from repeat customers, the majority of our leads come via the internet. You wouldn’t believe the amount of £200,000 to £300,000 cars we send to customers around the UK who we’ve never met, and who haven’t even seen the car before. It’s all done online.
What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months?
Probably two things. First, post-covid the availability of stock has been limited. A lot of the cars we sell are used, but not very old, and because of the pandemic, not many cars were produced in 2021-22, so they can be quite hard to find.
Secondly, after covid there was a big surge in prices of cars, but that was followed in late 2023 by a big price crash. Some cars went down by £50-60,000 overnight. When you’re carrying about 100 cars in stock, that’s quite painful!
Which other local firms do you most admire and why?
I think what Valeria Sykes achieved at Grantley Hall should be commended. She took a ruin and turned it into the best hotel in the UK, but using only Yorkshire firms. What Valeria’s done for Yorkshire is absolutely fantastic.
Alexanders Prestige turns over £70 million a year.
Who are the most inspiring local leaders?
I’m not political at all, so I probably couldn’t give you one!
What could be done locally to boost business?
Whether it’s classed as local or not, I don’t know, but more could be done for green energy. A business of our size would definitely go more green if there were more incentives, such as grants for solar energy and electric charging for cars.
Best and worst things about running a business from Boroughbridge?
Yorkshire people are the best, in that they’re lovely and straight-talking and honest.
Then again, they’re probably the worst too – we all know how careful with their money Yorkshire people can be!
What are your business plans for the future?
Our plan is to continue to organically grow our business. Our big focus now is on the digital and social media side. If we’re not at the forefront of that, we could be left behind. I think we are at the forefront now – or close to it – but we need to stay there.
What do you like to do in your time off?
I like to spend it with my family, travelling, eating out, and watching my son go-karting.
Best place to eat and drink locally?
We eat fairly regularly at Grantley Hall, and I also like the Abbey Inn at Byland. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, and Tommy Banks, the Michelin-starred chef, does the best ‘real’ food you can get. If you have a burger there, it’s the best you’ll ever have.
I also like Will & Vic’s on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate. It’s a great social place, and I like being in the hustle and bustle of town.
- If you know someone in business in the Harrogate district and you’d like to suggest them for this feature, drop us a line at [email protected].
Read more:
- Business Q&A: Andy Ormrod, Flying Colours
- Business Q&A: Gemma Aykroyd, The Cheeseboard
- Business Q&A: Jack Schofield, Atlas Helicopters
