Motoring

Motoring Keeping you out on the road for more

Landmark businesses in Dorchester and Bridport, which were once one business but retained the same name, are going two very different ways. Autobitz was started in 1968 by Ian Cornwell and John Sherry, in a little shop in Dorchester’s Hardye Arcade. John was 22 at the time, and recalls having to store stock all over the place, in garages and lock-ups, as the shop was so small. Now 75, John is still working in the shop he and Ian bought in 1986 – one of several familiar faces to those of us acquainted with the underside of a bonnet. But he’s now hoping to retire, bringing an end to an incredible 54 years behind the counter. Over in Bridport, that Autobitz is now Ride – a cycle shop run by Ian’s daughter Liz Cornwell. A third business, Autobitz Autos, a car repairs garage, is run by her brother Richard on the nearby Dottery estate. Miranda Robertson visits both stores to find out more.

n Liz Cornwell, 47, scrapped the car parts side of the business some time ago, yet people still wander in all the time in search of brake pads and oil, looking faintly bewildered when they come instead upon rows and rows of gleaming bikes. Liz, the daughter of Autobitz co-founder Ian Cornwell, now 75 and long retired, is a keen cyclist herself and has the whole range at home – road, mountain and gravel bikes. Her new venture was sparked by the rise of electric cars, and modern cars which were too technologically advanced for the average Joe to get their spanners out and fix themselves. Haynes stopped producing printed copies of their manuals last year after decades of showing motorists how to fix their cars themselves – the writing was already on the wall for stores like Autobitz. Though sad she has had to change the business her father started in the 60s, Liz adores bikes and is excited for the future. Lockdown, empty roads and the stunning weather of 2020 increased interest in cycling enormously and she runs a busy trade both selling bikes and accessories and repairing them too. They also do adaptations for disabilities. Ride is a dealer for Giant and Canondale, and sells the full gamut from kids’ bikes, to electric and vintage/retro steeds. She said: “A lot more people are dependent on a bike for commuting now. “I don’t know if cycling would have taken off so much if we hadn’t had the combination of empty roads and hot weather. We started with a few bikes 15 years or so ago and it just grew and grew.” She added: “I remember the leather key fobs being really popular when I was a child. And people would be in all the time for batteries, brake pads and bulbs. But these days many cars don’t need bulbs very often as they have LEDs and with electric cars there’s very little you can do yourself –it’s not possible to sustain the car parts side these days.” Future plans for Ride include a coffee machine and bar stools for customers to have a brew while they wait for repairs, and a new shop front.

n John Sherry and his team are instantly recognisable to anyone in Dorchester who has attempted to fix their own vehicles over the last few decades.. John, 75, has run Autobitz for 54 years, and for the last 36 years the affable Steve Hutchings, 63, has been at his side. Two other members of staff, Carol Vallard and Chris Countanch have recently retired, leaving Martyn Whelan, 35, and Ben Stevens, 52.

ON THE ROAD: John Sherry, Steve Hutchings, Martyn Whelan and Ben Stevens at Autobitz in Dorchester

ON YOUR BIKE: Liz Cornwell and the team at Ride in Bridport

than half a century

PAST TIMES: Ian Cornwell with a tools rep and, below, John and Ian receiving a prize from a rep

The store, laid out over two floors in High East Street, still looks like a Proper Shop, with thousands of items lined up to help you get back on the road, clean your car, fix your caravan and more. There are still a few leather fobs on sale, too. John initially went to work at Winfrith after school, but aged only 22, he and Ian Cornwell decided to launch Autobitz. Ian had been working for Singer, servicing and repairing sewing machines. “We were pretty green,” John said. “But we learned as we went along. People were all buying bits for Minis in 1968.” Hand-written ledgers have been taken over by computerised systems along the way. John said: “It’s so much easier. We used to have to do a stocktake at the end of every day, but these days we only have to check it every now and again.” Despite his 54 years in the trade, you won’t find John jacking up his own car. And plans for his retirement involve lots of travel – no spark plugs involved. He intends to retire some time soon, with plans for the building yet to be finalised. Until then, the shop will continue to open six days a week. He said: “The best thing about the business has been the staff.” The West Dorset Magazine, May 20, 2022 33 Motoring

BACK IN TIME: The old Woods store in High East Street in Dorchester, which became Autobitz

Drivers urgently needed

Dorchester Neighbourcar desperately need volunteer drivers to take elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to medical appointments. With the huge spikes in the cost of living, many people can no longer afford to drive and with less money in their pockets, they are finding taxis or public transport too expensive – especially for those living in rural areas. Drivers can claim 60p per mile or a minimum charge of £3. Dorchester Neighbourcar has been taking people to dentist, doctor, optician, or hospital appointments since it launched in 2010 and now it has 100 clients, which is growing fast. Administrator Jo Lilley said: “We serve clients who live in a five-mile radius of Dorchester who cannot access family or NHS transport support. We have more than 100 clients and are growing due to the pandemic and the present state of the economy. We have 11 drivers, but we need more.” Jo explained volunteering at Neighbourcar is rewarding, helping those people within the community. She said: “You are often a link and lifeline to the outside world. And we are a really friendly group. Petrol costs are covered, and most drivers will only be asked a maximum of once a week. You can list your availability to drive – you are under NO pressure to accept a job – we just ask that you do what you feel able – all help is greatly received.” Dorchester Neighbourcar is registered with all relevant Local Authority organisations If you are able to help a few hours a week, please contact Jo on 01305 251535 or email jo.lilley123@gmail.com

2012 Vauxhall Antara 4x4

Lovely to drive, MoT till December. Just serviced. No cambelt to worry about as it’s the chaindriven 2.2l model. Lovely big boot, startstop. Alloy wheels. 154k on the clock but has been well looked after. Genuine reason for sale. 07460 205033 £3,000