Meet the Team at Hoyles of Todmorden, Lancashire
Hoyles History
Dennis & Shirley Hoyle with their daughter Beverley Hollows
Dennis & Shirley started out as most young couples, meeting in their teens, madly in love and the world at their feet despite it being in the 1950’s. They both came from humble backgrounds, Shirley was born at Salley Street, Calderbrook, Littleborough – born to Annie & Albert Brooks in 1938 and the eldest of 6 children.
Dennis was born at Knotts Road Todmorden in 1935 to May & Dennis, he was the youngest of 4 children.
Dennis and Shirley began their courtship in the 1950’s and whilst Dennis completed his National Service in the RAF he was stationed in Cornwall. They were married in 1956 at Calderbrook - all they had was a £5 note -they took a trip to Halifax on the train to the cinema and ate fish and chips and celebrated with a bottle of milk. In October 1956 their daughter Beverley was born, and two years later Dennis junior came along. At this time Dennis had an ice cream bike, he then went onto build Hoyles Coach and Transport Services and alongside that Hoyles Taxis which was a real family affair with everyone helping – kids included!
Hoyles moved onto their current site in 1988 purchased from British Rail – At this time Hoyles was still a haulage firm until around the early 90’s Dennis was approached by British Telecom to sell their commercial fleet vehicles. This was a great move for the company, they supplied vehicles to people and companies up and down the country. Again, it was a true family affair, Dennis junior work in the garage, Dennis senior was doing the buying and selling and Shirley worked in the office. The business continued to grow, in the late 90’s Beverley joined the business as company secretary and again the business flourished further. In the 00’s Louisa (or Louie as she is known) joined the firm and has been an intergral part in the growth of the company. Shirley retired but still made them all delicious lunches and breakfasts on the weekends from their house across the yard.
Sadly, and very unexpectedly Dennis passed away in August 2006, just short of his 71st Birthday. The family were devastated but they had to continue to run the family business. They closed for a day out of respect for Dennis, but they knew that Dennis being the businessman that he was (open 7 days a week and lived onsite) would say open the shutters and let’s carry on. Carry on they did, the business was further developed by Bev & Louie, and they began doing MOT’s, servicing, testing – you name it Hoyles could do it! They became a one stop shop for all things vehicles. They began buying and selling cars as well as commercials to people up and down the country and have built a solid reputation with many of the top suppliers, customers and businesses alike!
Further development of the business and an expansion of the staff including Alex (Bev’s other daughter and Louie’s sister) in 2017, investment in new equipment and an office refurbishment put Hoyles as the place to go for all things motors! Being owned and ran by women and offering a not so scary approach to motoring has helped spread the word about Hoyles especially as some females may feel intimidated coming into a garage which once upon a time used to be a heavily male dominated industry.
In 2023 Bev semi-retired although she tends to pop in everyday and you'll often see her doing a shift or 2 a couple of times a week. Very sadly Shirley passed away in December 2023 this devastated the family once again, the end of an era. The family took comfort knowing that Dennis & Shirley would be together once again.
2024 saw more investment into the business, equipment, brand new flooring, company rebrand, new website and excitingly a brand-new roof is planned for the Autumn and lots more to come…. this is just the beginning! Hoyles has been many things over the years, evolving and developing with the needs of the customers, the economy and technology but one things for sure Hoyles will always be a family business serving the local community and beyond.
Louisa Hollows (AKA Louie)
Director
For many, Louie is the face - and the voice - of Hoyles.
If you call Hoyles, the chances are she’s the first person you’ll speak to. One of the company’s directors, Louie has been with Hoyles since she was as teenager in the late 1990s - and she’s very much one of the family: founder Dennis Hoyle was her grandfather.
Louie started off in the paint and body shop: “I started off learning how to paint and prep when I was 14 or 15 - the biggest thing I ever painted was an entire Transit Van!” But after her A-levels (chemistry, physics and biology, since you asked) Louie started working at Hoyles full time.
“My grandad said to me, “Come and work here, you’ll have a great time!” He was right - I love being here that much I don’t feel as if I’ve ever worked!”
“People come to us for advice and recommendations; we’ve got the experience and the range of expertise to absolutely deliver. I can help customers from finding their dream car or van through to the best finance deals. And our combined years of experience means we’ve got a really good handle on what people need.”
Though the years, as the business has changed with the times, Louie has always been ready to help.
Beverley Hollows
Company Director
Beverley is one of the Directors at here at Hoyles and is the daughter of Dennis and Shirley Hoyle. Beverley has been a part of the business her whole life but it wasn't until the 1990's that Bev joined the family business. "I worked at the Tax office in Halifax once I left college and then when I had the girls I left there. My brother Dennis owned Castle Hill Day Nursery at the time so I managed that for 5 years and then I was offered a job at another nursery in Burnley, just before I started there my Dad (Dennis Senior) said why don't you come and work at the garage with me! It was part time so I could pick the girls up from school, perfect I thought however it quickly turned into a full time job and i've been here full time ever since up until recently!"
In 2023 Bev eventually decided to semi-retire in order to enjoy a few holidays here and there with her husband Michael but also to take care of Shirley before she sadly passed away in December 2023 . Bev is still in most days helping out, doing the occasional shift here and there and of course helping with the strategic decision-making of the business. "I make sure I know how to use all the latest software and technology in the office. I am a handy person to have around'' Says Beverley.
She most certainly is a handy person to have around and for many more years to come!
Alexandra Holliday
PA to the Directors & Advertising
Alex is Louie’s sister (or Louie is Alex’s - it depends who you ask), and is mostly focussed on marketing, advertising and PR: getting the good word about Hoyles out into the wider world.
As part of the family, Hoyles has been there for Alex’s whole life: “When Mum was here working, every school holiday Louie and I were either here at the Garage or sat over at Grandma’s house. It’s been our whole life as a family really.”
In 2008, Alex moved to Cheshire with her now husband. Alex commuted for a few years but in 2019 the couple both returned to Todmorden with their 1 week old son, Teddy. Alex then carved her role out at Hoyles as the doyenne of communications. She is behind the rebrand and the website you’re currently reading (along with the help of Autoweb)!
Paula Bailey
Finance & Accounts Manager
Paula is the finance manager at Hoyles - looking after all of the bills and wages. She started at Hoyles in April 2023. Before that, she was the finance manager at Todmorden High School, but there are some important differences, as Paula explains:
“My role here is much more varied - as well as all the finances, I also do quite a lot of speaking to customers, which I really enjoy!”
Not long after Paula started working at Hoyles, she discovered a strange coincidence: “Although I’ve always lived in Hebden Bridge I found out that my dad was brought up on this very street!” You could say that, if not actual family, she’s certainly got neighbourly connections.
Gavin Preece
Head Mechanic & MOT Tester
Gav has been a mechanic for nearly 20 years - wow! After initially training as a joiner before following in his father's footsteps into mechanicing for a living. He has been at Hoyles since August 2021 and is an asset to the team.
Living in Todmorden, Gav drives a Ford Connect Van that he rescued from the 2015 Valley floods with a spectacular 678,000 miles on the clock, " It had most of those miles on it when I got it", says Gav. "It was completely submerged in the floods, but after an oil and filter change and a new alternator, it has been perfect ever since!"
Perhaps one of the highest qualified mechanics in the area, Gav has level 3 automotive maintenance and repair qualifications and is licensed to test MOT's and has level 3 electric vehicle certification too. He is also an associate of the IMI so he certain knows his stuff!
Rafael Coimbra
Motor Mechanic
Rafael is the newest member of the team; he started working at Hoyles in June 2024. However, he first came to the UK in 2015 from his native Portugal. " I came here insearch of a better life''- "At the time Portugal didn't have the opportunities that the UK offered''.
Having been a mechanic for many years both here and in Portugal, Rafael brings to Hoyles a wealth of experience after working at a number of main dealerships and independant garages along with his ready wit, keen enthusiasm and his big smile!
Back in Portugal, Raphael was once a professional footballer - a goal keeper. The average height of goalies is well over 6 feet tall, but Raf is one of many who subtituted size with physicality - "I used to jump about a lot''.
Raf has fitted in so well with the team here at Hoyles - he is fun, professional and always smiling!
YOU!
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Are you a talented mechanic or auto technician looking for a fresh new start?
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We can't wait to hear from you!