Meet the Team & Company History
Company Director and the son of founder Stephen Hogarth, David started in 1976 and has been with the company for over 38 years. He is a keen cyclist in his spare time and has entered many competitions including the Fred Whitton.
Sarah is a Company Director and has been with Greta Motors for over 10 years. She has always been interested in cars and as David H’s daughter it was no surprise that she came to work in the family business.
Andrew has been with the company since 2000. He is a Ford enthusiast and has several restorations to his own cars under his belt and has featured in several car magazines.
Chris has been with the company since 1976 and can paint just about anything! He loves Minis and drives a 1989 Mini.
Neil started over 30 years ago in 1983 and is our wheel alignment expert. He also runs his own business as a chimney sweep.
Company History
Three people attended a site meeting on December 26th 1959 at a burnt out pencil mill at Greta Side, Keswick to assess the practicality of rebuilding the property with a view to creating a Motor Body Repair business.
The property was bought by Leslie Eynon of Keswick Motor Company who were closing down their body shop and selling out to Shell UK. The property when developed was to be rented to Mr R B Norris and Mr S T Hogarth who would be the sole Directors of Greta Motor Body Works Limited. A sum of £1,800 was paid to Keswick Motor Company for all the equipment previously used at their body shop together with the agreed goodwill.
In November 1960 Mr Hogarth and Mr Norris together with two former employees of Keswick Motor Company started work at Greta Side as Greta Motor Body Works Limited with Mr Norris as Managing Director and Mr Hogarth as secretary. A working bank overdraft of £2,000 was agreed with the District Bank of Keswick.
In June 1961 Mr Brian Hewer, a school leaver, agreed to be the firms first apprentice and after taking his holidays began work in July 1961.
From the very early days the company has supported and has been supported by the V.B.R.A. (Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association) with monthly meetings held in Newcastle and subsequently Kendal.
In 1979, after long negotiations and together with two other local businesses, a disused timber yard was purchased and the site was developed with new access and all main services as "Southey Hill Trading Estate". Greta Motor Body Works Limited built a new purpose built workshop, office and stores area of some 10,000 square feet. The property at Greta Side was sold to finance the new workshop and work started at the new site in October 1980.
At this time the Directors agreed to appoint four new Directors in recognition of their valued service to the company Mr Roy Beaty, Mr Ken Dover and Mr David Hogarth were duly elected.
Mr Norris retired from the company in 1982 and sadly died in 1991. Mr Hogarth Snr retired in 1993 and is still a non executive Director of the company.
Welcome to Greta Motor Body Works
We provide a first class service for your accident or cosmetic work. You can be assured that you will be getting the best.
We can arrange to come to your home or workplace to do an estimate and we will even help you with your claim form if you like. Alternatively submit an estimation online and this will be dealt with in our usual professional manner, enabling us to provide you with an estimate the same day.
to have your car repaired where you like, subject to reasonable cost being agreed - regardless of what your insurance company may advise you.
