Much-loved car dealership selling popular brands closes down after 100 years in business – leaving customers devastated

A CAR dealership selling popular brands has closed down after more than 100 years in business leaving customers devastated.

Kerridges of Needham Market in Suffolk shut its doors after a “particularly challenging” few years.

It was originally opened as a bike shop in 1906 by Dan Kerridge and began focusing on cars in 1911.

The company represented many big brands including MG, TVR, Noble and Chevrolet.

The business remained in the ownership of the Kerridge family for its entire 116 years of trading before closing in October last year.

A notice read: “Stephen Kerridge, the directors and all of the staff would like to thank our customers for their support over the years.

“The last few years has been particularly challenging for the business and sadly Kerridges have been left with no other option than to close the business.”

Mid Suffolk district councillor Mike Norris expressed his sadness at the company closing down.

He said: “It appears that this has all come about at very short notice. It is a great shame because they have been trading for 100 years.

“It is a facility that is within the town and obviously we need thriving businesses.”

Others took to Facebook, with one saying: “I did wonder why the forecourt was so empty.

“How sad for the town and especially hard for all their employees.”

Another commented: “What a shame. My brother had his apprenticeship there in the early 70s. Another business gone.”

The news has emerged in the wake of a string of major dealerships cutting back or even .

One outlet even failed to inform customers, with motorists only discovering the closure when they turned up to have their cars serviced.

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