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Car dealership WH Brand in Whaplode Drove to celebrate 100 years of business




A family-run business is celebrating 100 years of trading today (Monday).

WH Brand in Whaplode Drove was founded by William Horace Brand - known as Bill - on February 3, 1925, selling petrol, lamps, tyres, batteries and bicycles from a rented shed.

A century later the business has grown into an MG dealership on a large site.

WH Brand was started as a business in a rented shed. PHOTO: WH BRAND
WH Brand was started as a business in a rented shed. PHOTO: WH BRAND

Adam Brand, great-great grandson of Bill and sales manager, says the business is now in the hands of the fifth generation.

He said: “My father Martyn is still involved - and his father, my grandfather Fred was part of the business.

“There is a lot of history.”

WH Brand was set up in 1925 - and continues 100 years later. PHOTO: WH BRAND
WH Brand was set up in 1925 - and continues 100 years later. PHOTO: WH BRAND

Motorcycles were more affordable so Bill - who went onto marry wife Edith and had their first son Fred - tried his hand at selling them.

By 1938, Bill had established himself in Whaplode Drove as a good mechanic and salesman. He went onto buy his own house with three acres of land.

He built his first garage there and hung the sign WH Brand and Son on the forecourt - which is now the existing site.

The firm’s sales department is currently run by Martyn, Adam and his nephew Callum Crosby. They are planning a small celebratory event on the anniversary date and a larger event in the summer.

Motorcars were more expensive so WH Brand tried his hand at selling motorcycles. PHOTO: WH BRAND
Motorcars were more expensive so WH Brand tried his hand at selling motorcycles. PHOTO: WH BRAND

Adam said: ”Because we have such a large customer base we are just going to do something small at the showroom to celebrate the day.

“Anyone can pop in for a coffee and cake.

“Then we shall do something in the summer and invite every customer for a barbecue.”

An aerial view of WH Brand car dealership in Whaplode Drove. PHOTO: WH BRAND
An aerial view of WH Brand car dealership in Whaplode Drove. PHOTO: WH BRAND

The family have created a well-known brand name in the motor trade across the Fens and particularly ‘associated with loyalty to their customers.’

Adam said: “We still have customers whose parents and grandparents keep coming back.

“They are loyal which we are thankful for.

The original WH Brand premises. PHOTO: WH BRAND
The original WH Brand premises. PHOTO: WH BRAND

“Our priority has always been to look after our customers.”

Adam puts the longevity and success of the business down to the quality of customer service up until this day.

Old garage in the mid 1960s. PHOTO: WH BRAND
Old garage in the mid 1960s. PHOTO: WH BRAND
WH Brand c1950s. PHOTO: WH BRAND
WH Brand c1950s. PHOTO: WH BRAND

Visit here https://www.whbrand.co.uk/contents/about-us for further information.

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