West Yorkshire car enthusiast buys garage with bank support

28th July 2015

A West Yorkshire blacksmith has turned his passion for cars into a career by purchasing a garage with funding from Yorkshire Bank.

Jed Mitchell has opened Jed’s Garage in Birstall, Batley which will also operate as an MOT service station.  Yorkshire Bank provided a six-figure funding package for Jed to buy the land and building.

The garage isn’t far from where Jed lives and when he saw it was up for sale, he spotted an opportunity to turn his love for cars into a long-term business that would provide financial security for him and his family.

A skilled mechanic, Jed has tinkered with automobiles and motorbikes since he was a teenager.  He carries out mechanical work for friends and family but has focused mainly on his blacksmith business for the last 15 years.

Jed is excited to embark on a new full-time career and hopes to grow the business over the next few years, possibly looking to add more garages to his portfolio in the future.

The funding for the garage was arranged by Shelley Fox, business development manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Business Direct Service.  Jed has been a customer of the Bank since he was 16 years old.

Jed said: “I’ve had an account with Yorkshire Bank for many years and its staff have always provided me with a high quality of service.  Starting a new business can be a daunting experience but the team was there to advise me on every step.  The garage is now open and things are really starting to come together.”

Shelley said: “It’s always rewarding to support a customer in starting their own business, especially one as skilled and enthusiastic as Jed.  His previous experience of successfully setting up and running a well-established local business will no doubt help him with this new venture.

“We look forward to continue working with Jed to support the business’ future growth.”