11/06/2026
Hi Everyone,
After 26 years in business, this is probably one of the hardest posts I've ever had to write.
Many of you know that last year I suffered a head injury following an accident. While I have made good progress and am doing much better, it has made me realise that I need to make some changes to protect my wellbeing and reduce stress.
For most of those 26 years, I've always tried to be available to help whenever I could, whether that was during the working day, in the evenings, at weekends, or through a quick message on Facebook. However, I've come to realise that I can't keep doing that and need to create a better balance between work, recovery, and family life.
For that reason, I've employed Matthew to run the reception and manage bookings at Hatherleigh Motor Services. Going forward, I'd really appreciate it if all bookings, enquiries, estimates, and job requests could be made through the garage reception rather than through my personal phone, Facebook, or private messages, especially during evenings and weekends.
Please don't take this personally. Writing this post has taken me several months, and it certainly hasn't been easy. This isn't about not wanting to help people; it's about making sure I look after myself so I can continue doing what I love and serving our community for many years to come.
This post is being shared on both my personal page and the Hatherleigh Motor Services page as it applies to everyone.
Finally, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you to every customer, friend, family member, supplier, and supporter who has stood by me and the business over the last 26 years, and especially over the last year while I have been recovering. Your kindness, patience, loyalty, and understanding have meant more than words can say.
Thank you for understanding and for continuing to support Hatherleigh Motor Services.
Chris Brown-Martin
Hatherleigh Motor Services Ltd
