Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge UK - New dealer in Wolverhampton

Hiya
Seems that Triumph have pulled the plug on Windy Corner and Stratstone are opening new dealerships in Wolverhampton and Leicester.

I heard last week that Triumph wrote to Windy Corner telling 'em to naff orf after, I hear, about 13 years as dealers.
The owner had a couple of years to retirement.
Considering the long association and the fact you can virtually see the factory from there, I take it that counts for nothing.
Oh yeah, seems the Leicester store poached WC's sales guy (Ben, who Triumph previously made redundant from running RAT) and, I believe, the mechanic.
The guy I heard it from was himself a Triumph dealer until just over a year ago and he dropped them after they were asking all sorts of crap like no other products in store and insisting he moved his store (even though he had a couple of years to run on his lease, they didn't want to help out with £ there).

Anywho, my old Rat pack are taking a run out to the new dealers in Wolvo which opens on Friday.
I'll go too only because they will be my closest dealer (apart from Brum who I wouldn't ask to inflate my tyres!) and I still have a gear change problem on the R3.

Strange to see an big independent (traditionally) car dealer dipping their toes into the bike market

been to Windy Corner last friday....as a matter of fact haven't seen Ben for some time but Mark mechanic was there. Going there tomorrow and will find out what is going on

I think that the same thing happened at Flitwick as well.

Apparently Triumph wanted them to stop selling "non Triumph" approved products.

Mind you I still go there because they are pretty good value on tyres and have a good turnaround for any work done.

I've bought all of my Triumphs from that ex-Triumph dealer and I got a good deal off him for the R3 service and a couple of tyres - I got about 5000 miles from the first set

Windy Corner was Triumph dealer for 19 years and factory dropped them because they didn't want to move to Leicester city center(stupid factory politics dropping well established dealership with top service)....they will stay as Triumph dealership till 25th of May ,after that they still going to service Triumphs and not closeing doors......they might sell Victory bikes ....already there are 2 in the shop


(only Ben gone to new future delership and that means there is no real loss)

I guess that's the way franchises work. It's their way or the highway. Difficult to be critical of Triumphs' business model (it is working better than most) but it is always heartbreaking when anyone's livelihood is threatened.

Received this today from their mail shot...


Dear Windy Corner Customer

You will have witnessed Triumph Motorcycle sales growing at an astonishing rate, globally, in the recent years.

This has placed massive demands on its dealerships. Large High Street showrooms and work shops are now required to cater for the ever expanding Triumph model range. Increased workshop and sales staff are required to handle the expected extra flow of customers and sales.

We have been an agent for Triumph Motorcycles for 19 years and have enjoyed being part of their impressive growth, with 2009 being the most successful year for Windy Corner Triumph in Sales, Service Parts and Accessories.

Here at Windy Corner, Barwell we no longer meet the requirements of Triumph Motorcycles Ltd so have to 'Hand over the Baton' mid 2010 to an incoming large Motor Car Group, Stratstone.

Please do not think this is 'The End' for Windy Corner. Triumph Motorcycle sales and servicing together with parts, clothing and accessory sales will continue at our Barwell site as Windy Corner, World of Two Wheels albeit without factory blessing.

We intend to take our 'Award Winning' customer service and attention to detail (something you have become used to) into the fabulous Victory Motorcycles plus quality, low mileage, pre-owned machines of all marques, including Triumph of course.

We would like to extend our 'thanks' to all our customers for their support over the years and look forward to your continued support in the new chapter beginning mid 2010, Windy Corner, World of Two Wheels.

We would also like to extend our 'Thanks' to the hundreds of Triumph owners who have joined in our R.A.T events over the years. Our events will continue and will be open to all makes, as The Windy Corner Rider's Club.

Please feel free to contact me via email should you have any comments.

Ride safely

Roger

Windy Corner, World of Two Wheels

Grzegorg, man I'm really sorry you had to hear this from me but to you and anyone else that doesn't know, Ben died. He was out on his bike 13/04/10 when he was taken from us. His funeral was huge with Triumph bikers following the hearse and the church was packed right to the gates into the churchyard.

Ben

Windy Corner is now officialy Victory dealer

I had that email too.
If only I could find room in the garage and the wedge for a Victory, I'd have one