FOR those of us who rely on a car, local garages became more important than ever during lockdown.

During a period when only essential motoring was permitted, key workers needed their vehicles around the clock.

The long-established Anchor Garage at Haydon Bridge has met numerous challenges to remain open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with owners Simon and Martin Scudamore determined to provide a vital service for the community.

“We never closed,” said Martin. “As a garage we were regarded as essential, and we have done our best to help meet our customers’ motoring needs during this incredibly difficult time for everyone.”

While it was business as usual for the Scudamores, they faced unprecedented changes behind the scenes.

The garage’s three members of staff were were placed on furlough for 12 weeks during lockdown, with Simon and Martin operating on a reduced capacity.

Martin explained: “There wasn’t the same demand during lockdown because not as many people were driving, and the government suspended MOT testing for six months from the end of March.

“But all of the work we had was vital because it was either key workers or other people who absolutely depended on their car.”

The Anchor Garage is now back up to full strength, with long-serving members of the team, Andrew Archer and Brian Tazey, working alongside Jack Robson, who has now completed his apprenticeship.

Martin added: “We’ve had support from the government in terms of grant funding, and are grateful for that because while our workload reduced during lockdown, it enabled us to remain open and support those who needed our services the most.”

The past decade has been a significant one for the Anchor Garage. Eight years ago, the business moved from John Martin Street, where it had been based for 130 years, to larger premises at Station Yard, just off Church Street, where they brought a warehouse building back into use.

“It was the right time to move and it has been a success,” said Martin. “We’ve introduced more up-to-date equipment and there’s a lot more space for our team, as well as customers, while car parking space and access is much better.”

The Anchor Garage has been a firm fixture within Haydon Bridge, and the Scudamore family since the 1880s, when Henry Scudamore started a horse drawn taxi service from the John Martin Street site.

It became a garage in the early 20th century, and has since repaired and serviced every motor from the Ford Model T, to the cars of today.

The brothers’ grandfather and uncle – both called Alan Scudamore, worked in the business for many years. Their father, Eric Scudamore, clocked up more than half a century of service, while Simon and Martin have put in 44 years and 39 years respectively.

For some time, their oldest customer was Bill Foster, who took his cars to the garage from 1934, until his death in 2017, at the age of 99.

Now the garage, in its spacious premises complete with a new automated MOT test lane, and other advanced equipment, can cater for cars, light commercial vehicles, and camper vans, as well as motorbikes. After moving premises in 2012, the business retained the name Anchor Garage.