A well-loved family-owned garage, known for its dedication to the local community for nearly a century, has officially closed its doors.
R Jackson Motors, located in Herne Bay, Kent, had been a longstanding fixture on Bullockstone Road since 1932.
A garage that has serviced “a number of exotic and classic cars” throughout its history has now shut down
After 92 years, the independent garage has closed so that its longtime owners, Richard and Brenda Jackson, can finally step into retirement.
In an interview, Richard, aged 72, shared: “As Brenda and I are both now in our early 70s, we have decided to retire and enjoy having time for ourselves and walking our dog, Molly.
“I would like to thank our many thousands of very loyal and lovely customers, many of whom have become friends over the years.”
The mechanic shop, initially called LH Jackson Motors, was opened by Richard’s father, Lewis Harold Jackson, in 1932.
Originally, it specialized in repairs for cars, lorries, and agricultural machinery, and in 1958, the business expanded to include vehicle and equipment sales.
As the business grew, it added workshops and a showroom on Kings Road, along with repair centers on Beach Street.
After Lewis Harold Jackson passed away in 1985, Richard and Brenda made the decision to simplify the business, closing the newer locations to focus solely on the original site on Bullockstone Road.
Richard added: “We decided we did not want the responsibility of two very large premises and over 30 staff.
“We returned to the Bullockstone site in 1987 and R Jackson Motors was born.
Following in his father’s legacy, Richard continued the garage’s core services of vehicle repairs and maintenance while also adding services for garden machinery.
Richard explained: “I had always wanted to work with cars; that was the family trade. “My original apprenticeship was in marine engineering. I completed that in the 70s and then went to work for my father.
“We’ve been lucky to work on a number of exotic and classic cars, Ferraris, Maseratis, American Muscle Cars, but also boat motors and lawnmower repairs.
“We even restored two Rolls-Royces from 1923 and 1928—it was amazing to work on cars of that age.”
Richard took a moment to recognize one exceptionally loyal client, Keat Farm Caravans, which began working with the garage in 1953, during his father’s time, and continued right up to the present.
Richard shared: “I think 72 years is possibly a local record as a long-standing customer, and one we are very proud of.
“We would also like to say a huge thank you to chief technician Lee Harrison and agricultural and lawnmower engineer Tom Howland for all their hard work and loyalty working alongside us for so many years.”
In related news, two veteran car enthusiasts showcased a rare 1901 Mors, evoking the nostalgic charm of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” as they took to the road.
Last weekend, an impressive array of vintage cars made the 60-mile journey from London to Brighton, maintaining a speed under 20 mph, as part of the world’s oldest and slowest motoring event.
Meanwhile, an extraordinary collection of abandoned vehicles that had languished in a junkyard for decades was recently auctioned, with many fetching millions.