Acorn Kia moves to Middlehurst Garage site as family rebrands business

Established in 1957, Middlehurst Garage has built up a respected reputation as a friendly and family car dealership in St Helens.

First opened by Jack Middlehurst, the business has sold new and used vehicles to countless Sintelliners over the decades, and the site has been a Nissan Authorised dealership in recent years.

The business has also offered MOT testing, as well as fitting and repair work to customers, but the Middlehurst family has decided to rebrand their business and pass part of the Jackson Street site on to Acorn Motor Group.

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Middlehurst Road Race and Classic

The Middlehurst family has rebranded its business (Image: Middlehurst Road Race and Classic)
With a passion for classic cars and motorsport racing, Andy Middlehurst and his son Chris - both successful racing drivers - have now launched a new classic car business, called 'Middlehurst Road Race and Classic'.

More than £300,000 has been invested into creating the family's bespoke new showroom and workshop, which will be next to their former garage on Jackson Street, lying just outside of St Helens town centre.

The purpose-built venue will still be able to serve previous customers with servicing, repairs, and MOT testing, but will expand the business' remit to service all makes and models for the first time since it became a Nissan dealership 45 years ago.

The focus of the business will be its unique offer of high-quality, every-day road cars alongside a selection of classic vehicles and sports cars.

The Star has covered some of Andy's motorsport triumphs (Image: Andy Middlehurst)
The Middlehurst family says that there will be a warm and friendly atmosphere at the new showroom, which will also include a coffee bar and lounge area for customers to relax while they browse, purchase a vehicle, or wait for their car to be worked on.

Managing director Chris Middlehurst said: "We will be able to look after our previous (Nissan) customers with servicing, repairs and MOT testing in our new workshop facility, as well as inviting new customers by offering all-makes and model servicing for the first time since we became a Nissan franchise 45 years ago.

"The Middlehurst name has been trusted to look after generations of customers in St Helens and we wanted to be able to offer our services to a wider, local audience who own vehicles from other brands."

Acorn Motor Group

Acorn Kia is full operational from Tuesday, April 9 (Image: Acorn)
Following the acquisition of part of the Middleurst Garage site, new signage has been going up recently, which officially opened for business on Tuesday, April 2.

Sales have already been made in the business' first week of operation. Its service team started on Tuesday, April 9 and further interior works are expected in the coming weeks.

Acorn Motor Group is an award-winning dealership with car garages across the country.

The business says it will be the only site in St Helens to sell new Kia vehicles, and will also sell a variety of used and pre-loved cars.

The business will also offer servicing and repair works and the incoming team says they will work hard to develop their reputation in St Helens.

Acorn will also offer service and repair works on Jackson Street (Image: Acorn Kia)

Managing Director James Platt said: "We are thrilled to have been appointed as the new official Kia dealership for St Helens and the surrounding area and are already settling into our new premises on Jackson Street.

"The site already comes with an excellent reputation courtesy of Middlehurst Garage and its longstanding association with the Nissan franchise I look forward to continuing operating with the same ethos.

"Acorn Kia St Helen’s is part of the Acorn Motor Group and joins our four other Acorn Kia locations. We pride ourselves on delivering a customer-focused approach to all that we do, and we are excited to welcome customers to our new Kia business from St Helens and the surrounding areas.

"As the official Kia partner for St Helens customers can expect a warm welcome from our helpful and highly trained team. We have multiple awards for customer service excellence, and I am looking forward to our team being able to demonstrate this across all the parts of the business.

"The business will offer customers the opportunity to purchase their New, Motability or Approved Used Kia vehicle, access the amazing range of electric vehicles that Kia has to offer, service and M.O.T facilities to take care of your Kia or other make vehicles as well as parts availability, specialist business sales and vehicle rental. In addition, we have over 500 Approved Used cars currently in stock to suit all budgets that can be viewed on our website.

"Plans are already in place to transform our new premises into a new and modern showroom that represents the latest Kia CI, and we are looking forward to these progressing over the coming months.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish Andy and Chris Middlehurst all the very best with their continuation of Middlehurst Garages and the exciting plans they have, as neighbours it will be great to see both businesses progress moving forward.”