Mike Brewer, the renowned host of the television show Wheeler Dealers, has announced the closure of his car dealership, Mike Brewer Motors, located in Sheffield. The dealership has been operational for 15 years and will result in approximately 60 job losses.
Reasons Behind the Closure
In an interview with Car Dealer Magazine, Brewer attributed the closure to new government taxation affecting staff costs. He stated that the financial burden has made running a large operation untenable. This decision comes after the dealership reported significant financial losses in the previous year.
Impact of New Taxation
- Brewer pointed out that the government’s recent changes in taxation have increased employer costs.
- Increased expenses may include rising National Living Wage, National Insurance contributions, and pension obligations.
- Brewer expressed frustration with the current business climate, emphasizing the need for competitive pricing in the used-car market.
Despite the challenges, Brewer expressed pride in the dealership’s achievements, including selling tens of thousands of cars and contributing to the community through charitable endeavors.
Customer Appreciation and Future Plans
In a statement on the Mike Brewer Motors website, the management thanked customers for their loyalty over the years. The dealership’s reputation within the community remains a point of pride amidst the closure.
At this point, the exact closure date is unclear, although the location is already marked as “Permanently Closed” on Google Maps. Meanwhile, Brewer continues to operate his other business, One Automotive, based in Warwick, which is unaffected by this decision.
Overall, the closure of Mike Brewer Motors highlights the impact of changing regulations on small businesses in the automotive sector, prompting serious considerations for future operations.
