A WHITEHAVEN woman has opened what she believes to be the first female-led car garage in the north west.
MHM Valeting and Detailing Services on the Haig Enterprise Park, Whitehaven is now offering services, brake fitting, modifications and MOT repairs alongside its original valeting.
The idea to start doing vehicle repairs alongside valeting was to create a garage environment where women could feel more comfortable than normal, according to garage owner, Marie Hinde.
“Very often, women don't like going to the garage because they think they’re going to get greeted by a man covered in oil, telling them that they owe hundreds of pounds for the vehicle repairs,” said founder, Marie.
“That's why I decided to go back onto the spanners because there's now an opportunity for women to come to a garage and not feel intimidated by males, and I can talk them through what I've done to the vehicle.
“I don't just give them a bill and let them walk away. I show them the old part.
“I explain what it did and what it does and they're happy to pay me the money because they can see that the part that I took off was faulty.
“There's more women on the road than men so it’d be great to have an environment where women don’t feel intimidated."
Cars have always been a big part of Marie’s life which is why she’s set up the garage.
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“I've always been into vehicles as I'm a bit of a tomboy,” said Marie.
“I always played with cars rather than a Barbie doll as my mum said, so, it was from a very young age that cars appealed to me.
“I'm only in the one unit up at Haig Enterprise Park so if it does take off, I’ll have to find bigger premises.
“I know a friend who is a female mechanic and she said that she would come and help.
“I have friends helping me at the car wash at the minute so it's basically an all-female run business.”
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