A mechanic who used to work at Cousins Bros forecourt and servicing station near Totnes was the lucky bidder for the lease of the South Devon business, beating off four other interested parties.
It was the personal connection which won over former owners Jan and John Cousins, says Matthew McFarlane, business agent at property company Christie & Co, who brokered the deal.
He says that there is great potential for the Pace site, on the Plymouth Road commuter route between Totnes and South Brent, which has been owned by the Cousins family since 1936.
He adds that the new owners, husband and wife Matthew and Marie Stone, already operators of an MOT and servicing business, will continue to offer fuel and to develop the business. Their acquisition currently gets 90% of its turnover from the MOT and servicing.
It has two petrol pump islands, a customer shop of around 150sq ft, four workshops which offer MOTs and servicing, as well as a car sales area and a former vehicle showroom.
The 600sq ft showroom is “crying out” to be developed as a convenience store, says McFarlane. This he believes would help to increase the fuel volume from its existing 40,000 litres a year.
Husband and wife team Jan and John Cousins, who are retiring after 57 years at the helm, say: “It was a very tough decision to sell the business. From its creation in 1936 by our father, to us taking over the reins in 1968, we’ve built a well-regarded business and over the years many clients have become friends. However, after 57 years, it is very much time to retire.”
They add: “We would like to thank our loyal customers over the years and wish Marie and Matthew the very best with their new venture. They are experienced MOT and servicing business owners, and we have known them professionally for a long time, with Matthew having worked at Cousins Bros in the past. It pleased us to be able to pass the business on to them. We would also like to thank Matthew McFarlane from Christie & Co for his support throughout the sales process.”
Christie & Co’s McFarlane adds: “I have enjoyed working with Jan and John to achieve the sale they had been looking for, for their business. The site has been in the family for 90 years, so it was a very emotional process to sell. It is a great business with lots of potential for the future, and I am delighted that it has been acquired by buyers who can continue the John and Jan’s family legacy.”
