Auto-parts firm ‘saddened’ to close after 20 years

The Landes du Marche business has been operating since 2004, with the present form of the business running since January 2019 following the retirement of the previous owner and founder, Michael Wager.

The present company endured two Covid lockdowns and the serious illness of one of its directors.

Its directors said that over the past 12 months, external factors have forced the decision to cease trading, in spite of the success of its service department and new retail shop.

Like many trades on the island, vehicle technicians are in short supply and there is fierce competition among the island’s motor traders for qualified technicians.

After the resignation of one of the Carrus technicians to work for himself, the company decided not to compete with other operators to look to take on another technician.

‘We are incredibly saddened to have made the decision to close Carrus after 20 years of trading,’ said managing director Nicky Carre.

‘We would like to thank our dedicated staff and our loyal customers for their patronage over the past 20 years.

'We wish our staff and customers all the best in their future endeavours.'

The directors also said that the States’ decision to introduce secondary pensions was going to be a significant extra burden on the company and other small employers, increasing employment costs for no added return.

Carrus said it would have been forced to introduce pensions instead of cost-of-living pay rises for its staff, a move it thought other small employers would have to follow.

This, coupled with the increasing costs in all fields following the pandemic, has been forcing the business, like many others, to squeeze margins further to avoid passing costs on to its customers.

Carrus is currently holding a closing down sale with 40% off all marked prices in its retail shop.

There will also be a closing down auction on Saturday 22 June at 1.30pm, with viewing from 8.30am, of all plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings.

Viewings are also available before 22 June by appointment only.

Sealed bids are welcomed before Thursday 20 June.

The service department is closing today.