Staff at the New Best Auto centre in Hurstake Road, Newport.
A BUSINESS man has returned to his roots by opening the latest branch of his successful garage business in the same building he began his career in.
Derek Smith opened the latest branch of his business Best Auto centre in February in the premises formerly used by ATS, where he began as an assistant manager.
"I worked for ATS for 20 years in Newport. I was asked to move to the mainland to become a regional manager, which I did for a few years, until about six years ago. There was a re-organisation and I wasn’t happy so I left and started my own company," said Mr Smith, 53.
The result was the first branch of Best Autocentre, which was established in Winchester in 2003.
Following its success a second branch was opened, in Eastleigh, and then another in Totton.
The Island branch, at Hurstake Road, will employ four people initially, including MOT testers and fitters.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk