Don Gibson	Robert Gibson

FAMILY garages offer an in­built guarantee to customers faced with a number of firms offering similar services.

They know that a family firm is not likely to be a fly-by-night bunch of cowboys. They also know that a family firm is not a big, impersonal company where it is practically impossible to find the top man when something goes wrong.

Such a family firm is Townsends Garage of Rushden. Townsends is run by a father and son team, Don and Robert Gibson. Don was among the founders of the firm, which gained its name from a haulage company whose premises once stood on the site now occupied by the garage.

He is steeped in Rushden's history and is in the process of producing a 140 page book on the subject, due to be published later this year.

Robert is equally closely linked with the community, being an active Round Tabler.

“We are very intimately involved with both business and the town” says Robert. “We are not a particularly large firm, employing some thirty people but we have a great interest in ensuring that our customers go away happy."

Townsends is local dealer for Austin, Morris, Rover and Triumph, and Robert feels that despite British Leyland's troubles, the car giant has a sound future because "BL are one of the few car firms

which can offer a range of cars right across the spectrum."

Townsends is in the Uni-part scheme which ensures that they keep a comprehensive stock of spare parts for all makes of car. Servicing is done in a big, airy workshop, well-equipped with up to date tuning and diagnostic machinery.

The company also has a considerable body repair department with three paint bays. It is approved by most of the major insurance companies.

Townsends is also approved for MoT testing. A comprehensive stock of used cars completes the picture of a go-ahead family firm whose directors keep in touch with the community they serve.