A large collision repair company has shut down its site in New Road, Chatham. Nationwide Crash Repair Centres, including its parent firm Nationwide Accident Repair Services and other subsidiaries, fell into administration in September last year leading to the loss of 540 jobs. The company faced rapidly declining revenue due to reduced volumes from some of its biggest customers alongside the implications of lower road traffic during the Covid-19 lockdowns. After Price Waterhouse Coopers was appointed as administrators, the majority of Nationwide Accident Repair's business and assets were sold to rival FMG Repair Services, including the two Chatham repair centres in New Road and Second Avenue. However, FMG Repair Services has since ceased operations at the New Road premises and it now stands empty, sources confirm. It is unclear as to what the future plans are for the former car repair centre, although some local residents suggest it could make an ideal extension to New Road Primary School and Nursery, which sits next to it.
The repair centre in Second Avenue continues to operate as usual under FMG Repair Services' ownership. Nationwide Accident Repair Services repaired cars for large UK insurance firms, including Admiral, Allianz and Direct Line. Before falling into administration, it employed nearly 2,900 people across more than 100 sites, making it the UK's largest collision repair company at the time. Attempts to contact FMG Repair Services were made, however, no response was received.
Vajetha Nanthakumar
6/7/2021 08:05:44
A new Aldi store can be located here at the Nationwide Accident Repair Service Chatham convenience for the local community Comments are closed.
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