History

Gordons (Bolton) Limited was originally founded in the 1800’s by the Gordon family who moved from Scotland. Originally they commenced work as wheelwrights and blacksmiths in the School Hill area of Bolton, so it is evident from the Company’s earlier days that it was involved in transport. The business grew and by 1870 was formally constituted as a private Company and by this time was engaged in the complete manufacture of coaches and carriages.

Mr Sam Gordon, the Grandfather of the present Chairman, spent some time in the late 1890’s travelling about the world in the course of which he became impressed with the possibilities of the “horseless carriage”. On returning to Bolton he was determined to extend the Company’s activities to include motor vehicle body building and the sale and repair of such vehicles. The Company by now had acquired the site of its present head office and new car showrooms at 54/56 Higher Bridge Street, Bolton and was involved not only in body building but also selling such marques as Daimler and Ford.

Mr Gordon decided that the future lay in a sole franchise – Ford – which would supply vehicles for the volume market of the “man in the street” rather than the luxury market of the aristocracy, and consequently first entered into a formal agreement with Ford in 1911/12 which was ratified by 1914, making Gordons one of the oldest Ford Dealers in the country. At the time, Ford vehicles were assembled not at Dagenham, but at Trafford Park, Manchester, and so from the earliest days there was a close association.

During the ensuing years the business steadily grew and became a Private Limited Company in 1933, establishing its name as one of the leaders of local car industry, whilst remaining Bolton’s sole Ford main agent. By now it had established its site to include considerable parts and service operations as well as the sale of commercial vehicles.

In 1949, on the death of Mr Sam Gordon, his daughter Mrs Annie Seymour became Chairman with her husband Mr L S Seymour taking the reins as Managing Director and Company Secretary. Mr L Seymour never retired; working right up to his death in 1990 and his widow maintained her active minterest in the Company until 1997 when she too died.

Under Mr L Seymour’s direction the Company continued its expansion opening new service bays in 1959, workshops and parts department in 1960 and showrooms in 1964.

A retail dealership at Horwich was also acquired in 1963, and in 1966 the original “Fountain Garage” was acquired for used vehicle and forecourt sales at 137 Higher Bridge Street, Bolton, and during this period more land had been acquired for continued expansion at the head office premises.

During 1967/8 the present Managing Director, Mr Gordon Seymour, and Customer Services Director, Mr Oliver Seymour, joined the Company and during the period 1970/80 further expansion took place. This included a new multistorey PDi Department, two large parts department expansions, the acquisition of a large site at Horwich for further developments, the establishment of a body and paint department, following the transfer of certain staff and assets from Thompson and Oakes Limited, the purchase of Britannia Garage Limited, Kay Street, Bolton and the purchase of Gerard Massey Limited – Walkden, which has been redeveloped, including its petrol forecourt which is one of several operated by the Company. The Company also operates a substantial Ford Rental Franchise and Rapid Fit operation.

The Company had previously developed a large Truck Specialist Dealership at Weston Street, Bolton, but when Ford Motor Company transferred its truck business to IVECO, Gordons disposed of their interest in HGVs, whilst being appointed Transit Specialist Dealers.

Most recent major investments have been the redevelopment of the Horwich Petrol Forecourt and the integration of the business of F Gresty & Sons onto land on Higher Bridge Street to increase the Accident Repair Department.

From the foregoing it is evident that this Company is a long established progressive and independent family business with an exemplary reputation. Gordons (Bolton) Limited now supplies vehicles, parts and services on a country wide basis. Among national companies supplied are such well known names as Hertz, Vickers, Edbro, various Police, Fire and Water Authorities, AMEC, B.P., Castrol, ITT, Metropolitan Authorities and many more. The Company is also well recognised as a supporter of many local and national charitable associations and institutions.