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 contact@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

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Apollo Capital’s supercars event was received with great fanfare by the local community yesterday.

Held at its headquarters The Lenz at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, on 17 March, more than 100 supercars turned up to showcase their impressive vehicles to the public.

It’s the first Supercars and Caffeine event that Apollo Capital and partners Petrolheadonism.club has put on together and all of the profits went to Apollo Capital’s 2024 charity sponsor, Saint Michael’s Hospice.

Founded in 2020 by chief executive Andy King and managing director David Moss, Apollo Capital specialises in funding luxury, classic, super and hypercars.

See our interview with Andy above, along with images of the many luxury cars that were at the event below.

Gallery

(Image: Ferrari F12, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 720S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 720S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Ferrari F355, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Rolls Royce Spectre, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Porsche 992 GT3RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Huracan STO, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Apollo McLaren 600LT, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Lamborghini Murciélago, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Ferrari F8 Tributo, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Rolls Royce Spectre, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: group of supercars, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: McLaren 750S, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

(Image: Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Josh Scoot @ScootSuperCars)

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This story is sponsored by Flat 6 Automotive.

A garage in Boroughbridge that specialises in servicing Porsches is offering free winter health-checks for all makes of car throughout November. 

Flat 6 Automotive will check on every aspect of a car’s seasonal roadworthiness, including tyres, brakes, lights, battery and antifreeze, and will carry out any work that needs to be done, if the customer requests it. 

Director Richard Nicholson said: 

“Keeping your car in top condition is important at any time of year, but in winter it becomes absolutely crucial. A lot of drivers have an overly optimistic view of how prepared their car is for the cold weather. 

“For example, tyres can be worn, perished, misshapen or damaged. But your stopping distance doubles if you have just 3mm of tread left on your tyres instead of 6 or 7mm, and that gets even worse in wet or icy conditions. 

“The battery check is really important too. It takes a lot more power to start a car in cold weather, so in winter batteries often fail. A quick check can make sure you don’t end up getting stranded, unable to get home.”

Will Mann works on a Porsche engine.

Richard founded Flat 6 Automotive with business partner Will Mann in May this year. Richard was previously a workshop manager at an independent Porsche garage for seven years, and Will completed an engineering degree with the McLaren F1 team.  

They met while both working at a local prestige car specialist and now aim to continue working on the high-end vehicles they have a passion for, while also applying their exacting standards to every other kind of car. 

Richard Nicholson knows how a well-tuned engine should sound.

Richard said:  

“I always wanted to be the best at what I do – the person who people go to when they have a problem. Being workshop manager is the highest position you can get to in a garage, and after-sales is a step up from that. I’ve done both those, so the next step is running your own company. We’re ready for this and it shows – the work is coming in.” 

He added: 

“I’m a bit of a control freak. It doesn’t matter if I’m working on a 2010 Ford Fiesta or a 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, I give the same attention to detail to every car. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail.” 

Click or tap here to find out more now or call 01904 439766 to book your FREE winter health-check at Flat 6 Automotive.

Two mechanics with finely-tuned skills have opened a specialist Porsche repair shop in Boroughbridge. 

Flat 6 Automotive – named after the six-cylinder engines typically found in Porsches – will focus on fixing, restoring and rebuilding the engines of the German sports cars, but will also take on all kinds of everyday repairs on cars of all kinds. 

Director Richard Nicholson was a workshop manager at an independent Porsche garage for seven years, and business partner Will Mann completed an engineering degree with the McLaren F1 team. They both worked at a local prestige car specialist for several years and have now decided to branch out together. 

Mr Nicholson said: 

“I’d always wanted to work for myself. I had my day job but I was also doing engine rebuilds on the side. I was working till 11 at night, and I was so busy that I thought I should just take the plunge. It was really a hobby that turned into something much bigger.” 

The pair have expanded into a 2,000 square foot unit with three ramps – a fourth is due to be installed by the end of the year – and are building a new waiting area. They have also invested in modern equipment, including £5,000 in state-of-the-art diagnostic kit. 

Mr Nicholson added: 

“We’ve already got customers across Yorkshire and as far afield as Slough and Glasgow and we also prepare cars for sale for a couple of specialist dealerships, so we’ve been very busy since we opened.

“If this goes well, I’d love to grow the company and open new branches. The sky’s the limit.”

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A large tree that damaged a Porsche in Harrogate during recent storms has been felled.

Zenya Dunn, who lives on Granby Road, told the Stray Ferret her partner Michael woke to find his car beneath a large splintered branch during February’s Storm Otto.

Speaking back then, she said it was the second time the Porsche had been struck by falling branches from the tree.

Ms Dunn added her Range Rover, parked nearby, and the house front window had narrowly escaped being damaged by the tree during storms. She said the couple had alerted the council to the danger numerous times.

Zenya Dunn, standing next to her partner’s Porsche in the aftermath of Storm Otto. 

North Yorkshire Council has now pruned the tree to little more than a stump.

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Jon Clubb, acting head of parks and environmental services at the council, said:

“Storm Otto caused considerable disruption to parts of North Yorkshire in February. Our parks and grounds maintenance team acted swiftly to remove a large branch on Granby Road which had fallen during the storm.

“Unfortunately, damage to the tree was so severe that it needed removing and the work was recently carried out. We will be carrying out replacement plantings this winter in line with our trees and woodland policy.

The splintered branch being removed in February. 

The victims of an alleged fraud involving Porsches in Knaresborough have criticised police for the lack of progress in the investigation.

North Yorkshire Police launched an investigation in summer 2019 after allegations that dealership Gmund transferred ownership of cars worth more than £1 million without the owners’ permission.

A man in his 50s was arrested at the time and released under investigation.

Now, almost four years on, the alleged victims have questioned why there has been no update from police since February 2022. One told the Stray Ferret:

“Beyond the frustration, it is more a case of losing faith in the judiciary system and rule of law.”

Asked for an update, a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police last week said:

“There is no update in the investigation into a Knaresborough car dealership previously enquired about. The investigation remains ongoing, one suspect remains under investigation.”

The Stray Ferret first published at story in summer 2020 after speaking to six alleged victims of fraud at Gmund.

One man, Anthony Place, claimed he was never paid the £52,000 he was owed when his car was sold in early 2019. He grew so frustrated that he painted a message asking for his money on the side of his other Porsche – and hired a plane with a banner bearing the same words to fly over the dealership.

Another man contacted the Stray Ferret to say he had bought a car from Gmund and had since been told by police he was unable to sell or modify the vehicle while the investigation continued.

One of the alleged victims, who asked not to be named, told the Stray Ferret last week he was frustrated by the slow progress of the investigation:

“What disturbs me somewhat is how long this has been dragging on.

“The police had advised me to appoint a solicitor. Legal advice means a lot of money and in my case we have nothing to work from except that others have not had the money they are owed.”

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Gmund was founded in 2006 and was known for buying and selling classic Porsche cars.

The company, which was based at the Nidd Valley Business Park, was dissolved in 2020 and its owner Andrew Mearns was declared bankrupt.

His wife, the former Conservative councillor for Knaresborough Scriven Park, Samantha Mearns, was company secretary from the time it was founded until December 2018.

Ms Mearns told the Stray Ferret in 2020 she was never interviewed by police in relation to the allegations. In July 2021, she resigned from the council and moved to Wales, citing family reasons.

The administrator’s report from June 2020 found more than £1 million in claims stacked up against the business with only £15,000 in assets.

The alleged victim added:

“The police do not seem to be very active. The police, particularly in North Yorkshire, need to rebuild their reputation.

“Regular updates which had been promised have not been exactly forthcoming. It does not put the police in a good light. Mum’s the word and that is not good enough.”

A Harrogate couple have been left dismayed after a large branch from a tree crashed onto their Porsche during Storm Otto today.

Zenya Dunn, who lives on Granby Road, told the Stray Ferret that her partner Michael woke this morning to go to work, only to find his car underneath the fallen tree.

She said it’s the second time this has happened to the couple and that the council had been informed about the dangerous tree numerous times.

Ms Dunn said:

“I woke up and he asked me if he could borrow my car. It was the car he always wanted.

“It’s the second time something like this has happened. My partner has rung the council about the tree before.”

Ms Dunn added that the tree had almost hit the front window of their house.

It also narrowly missed her Range Rover, which was parked next to the Porsche 911.

North Yorkshire County Council’s highways teams arrived to deal with the tree this morning.

Workers from North Yorkshire County Council’s highways team were on scene this morning to deal with the tree.

It comes as Storm Otto caused widespread disruption across Harrogate this morning.

On Montpellier, a tree fell onto a picture frame where tourists pose for pictures. However, the frame appeared to have withstood the impact.

Meanwhile, fallen trees caused disruption for motorists on Leeds Road, Ripon Road and on the A61 near Pannal.

You can recap all of today’s storm news in the Harrogate district here.

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A Porsche driver who killed a cyclist while allegedly using his phone has been found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

James Bryan, 37, was rushing to get some shopping for his parents during the covid lockdown when his Porsche Carrera 911 ploughed into the back of a bicycle ridden by married father-of-two Andrew Jackson, 36, on the A168 between Wetherby and Boroughbridge, York Crown Court heard.

The prosecution claimed that at the time of the collision, Mr Bryan had been using his mobile and pointed to evidence that showed his Facebook and Instagram accounts were open.

A jury essentially had to decide the case on the single issue of whether Mr Bryan had been using his phone at the time of the fatal crash, which occurred on the afternoon of May 10, 2020.

Mr Bryan denied he was using his phone.

After deliberating long into the afternoon today (Friday, September 23), the jury found him not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. However, he had already admitted causing death by careless driving and will be sentenced for that offence in October.

Social media claims

During the trial, which began earlier this week, prosecutor Anne Richardson alleged that in the moments before the crash at Allerton Park, Mr Bryan must have been distracted by “something” because Mr Jackson was clearly visible.

She claimed that evidence showed he must have been looking at, scrolling through, or reading posts on social media.

Mr Bryan had taken cocaine and been drinking at his friend’s house in Cheshire the night before the fatal collision at Rabbit Hill Park.

A roadside test in the aftermath of the crash showed that although he wasn’t over the limit for either drink or drugs, there were traces of cocaine, or a cocaine breakdown product, in his system.

Ms Richardson claimed that Bryan, who celebrated his 35th birthday just two days before the accident, would have been impaired by the drugs in his system and from being hungover and tired from the alcohol and festivities the night before.

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He was on the way to drop some groceries off at his parents’ house who were isolating during the covid lockdown when the accident occurred at about 1.40pm. Ms Richardson said:

“The front of the Porsche collided with the rear of Mr Jackson’s bike and Andrew Jackson came off his bike, went up in the air and hit his head on the windscreen and roof of the car, and landed on the road behind the car.

“He was pronounced dead at the scene by an off-duty intensive-care consultant.”

“This is an incredibly sad case. A young mother has lost her husband and father to two (very young) children. Her in-laws have lost their only son.”

Mr Bryan, of St Mary’s Avenue, Harrogate, was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving. He denied the allegation but admitted causing death by careless driving in that he didn’t leave enough room to drive around the bicycle.

Ms Richardson claimed Mr Bryan’s driving was dangerous because he “wasn’t looking at the road ahead of him” as his car approached Mr Jackson.

Died from head injuries

Mr Bryan – who had been at a birthday barbecue in Wilmslow the night before and set off for home early the following morning – called 999 moments after the accident and told a call operator he thought the cyclist was dead.

Other motorists, including the off-duty doctor and his medically trained wife, were on the scene in minutes and called police and an ambulance, but Mr Jackson had already died from head injuries.

Forensic analysis of Mr Bryan’s phone showed that it was unlocked in the moments before the crash and the Instagram and Facebook apps were open.

Mr Bryan was taken in for questioning and told police that Mr Jackson, who lived locally, “came out of nowhere” but then claimed the cyclist had veered into the middle of the road and that he had tried to overtake him, only for the cyclist to “swerve into my path”.

An accident investigator who carried out a reconstruction of the accident said the bike was not in the middle of the road, but on the edge of the carriageway, near a grass verge, and that Mr Bryan had not tried to move around the bicycle.

In one message found on Mr Bryan’s phone on the way back from Cheshire, he told a friend he was hungover from the night before and was “concerned about being late for his parents with their shopping”.

In another sent by Mr Bryan to a female friend while he was at the birthday party the previous night, he told her: “I’m so drunk I can’t see.”

Defence barrister Sophia Dower claimed that Mr Bryan was in a “fit and proper state” to drive and was not using his phone at the time of the crash.

She claimed that Mr Jackson’s bike had veered right from the edge of the road into the path of Mr Bryan’s black Porsche, and that her client “didn’t have enough time to react”.

The off-duty doctor who was at the scene said Mr Jackson had suffered a serious head injury and his helmet was broken.

Mr Bryan will be sentenced on October 21.

Jackson family statement

The Jackson family issued the following statement yesterday after the verdict:

“The outcome from today doesn’t change anything for us; we are still learning to live with the gaping hole in our lives left by Andrew.

“However, it is important we were here to represent Andrew, to get justice for him and to show just how much he is still loved and missed.

“We all deserve to feel safe on our roads and to make it home to our loved ones.

“We respectfully ask for time and space for our family to process the events of this week as we continue to grieve for our husband, father, son and friend.”

A new used car dealership has launched in Harrogate which aims to make buying a vehicle an “enjoyable and relaxed experience”.

Carlingo, which is based in the former Evans Halshaw showroom on Wetherby Road, has more than 120 cars in stock, ranging from a Nissan Micra to  Porsche Macan.

The company says it believes in “quality not quantity” and prides itself on finding cars that have the most desired optional extras. These include  a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, sat nav and upgraded alloys.

The second hand market grew 11.5 per cent on the back of the short supply of new vehicles, with 777,997 more sales than the previous year, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

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A Carlingo spokesperson said:

“We know that buying a car is a big decision, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a difficult one. Our friendly team is on hand at our spacious and relaxing new Harrogate showroom.”

The showroom on Freeman’s Way has been refurbished and boasts stylish modern interior.