Business is booming for a Carlisle car sales firm which is taking on staff and expanding into new larger premises.
Eighteen months ago Michael Seggie took a big leap into the unknown and started his Leaseyournewcar.co.uk business, working from his dining table at home.
Now he has two more people working in new offices at Riverside House on Warwick Road with another two on the way. There are plans too for franchises around the UK to match the one he already has operating in Leeds.
“I had three small children at the time so it felt like a big jump with no security,” he said, adding: “I thought it might be nice to have somebody else working with me at some stage, but things have progressed much quicker than I thought.”
The business has been expanding rapidly as more people have responded to the leasing deals that Michael, 34, and his colleagues are able to offer through the contacts they’ve built up through years in the motor trade.
“People trust that we can get back to them with a good deal by the end of the day. Our trade is split 50-50 between private and business customers, but whether you’re looking for a car or van people are realising they can ring us at nine in the morning and we’ll be back in touch with them by the end of the day with some options for them without them having to trail around dealerships.
“And with most businesses, time is the most precious commodity,” said Michael who knows something about a shortage of time, having recently welcomed a fourth child to his family.
Within the last twelve months, Gary Burns and Mark Lowther have joined the business and another two team members are due to come on board by the end of March.
Mark, 33, said: “Leasing is definitely becoming more popular because it is a fixed cost and people don’t have to worry about depreciation. Manufacturers are promoting it which helps us get some good deals.”
Gary, 48, was first to join Michael Seggie in his new venture and is about to become a director of the company which also trades under the name of Lakeland Fleet Management Limited.
“We’ve had a good start to the year and get a lot of referrals from previous customers. We’re here to help people who might not want to negotiate with a showroom salesman or haven’t got the time to go round all the dealerships and people are really responding to our service.”
