There has been a garage on this site since the First World War. Bradley’s operated & repaired steam wagons; taking barytes, limestone & whinstone to Middleton Railway Station & beyond. After the War, Ralph Gowland bought the business operating mainly ex-war petrol wagons of various makes transporting the same types of materials. The first two pictures show the business, vehicles & staff in this period around 1925 with the current owner’s grandfather, Walter Tallentire, working as Senior Mechanic. The retail repair & vehicle supply side of the business was now developing. In 1933 Walter became a partner in the business & it became Alston Road Garage. The third picture shows Walter with partner Vince Allinson about 1938. Note the ‘battery’ shaped delivery van! In 1950 the wagons were sold out to Beadles; & the business concentrated on Car, Tractor & Agricultural Equipment supply & repair. In the 1970s & 80s the agricultural side declined; with Car & light/medium commercial repairs & The Ford Dealership taking the lead. The business also won some school contracts & this aspect grew significantly in the 90s & 00s. In 2011 Alston Road Garage employed 25 full & part time staff in the dealership & as drivers

Please "click" on image to enlarge

The first aerial image below dates from 1964, the others at varying later dates

==================================================================================================== 
 [Home]   [New Cars]    [Used Cars]    [Service]   [Bus]     [History]     [News]    [About us]    [How to find us]   [Contact us] 
====================================================================================================