'Sad day'as Peugeot ends sales contract with Hindmarch in Stamford and Grantham

Car manufacturing giant Peugeot has reportedly terminated its sales contract with a family-run dealership after 48 years.

The French company has made the decision to ditch Hindmarch, which has garages in Stamford and Grantham.

The Hindmarch family made the announcement on its Facebook page on Thursday (April 9) with the words ‘today is a sad day’.

They said small family businesses in market towns are now ‘not considered to be necessary to Peugeot's future plans’.

They wrote: “For 48 years we have represented Peugeot selling cars, starting back in 1972 when few people had heard of the name.

“We grew with Peugeot, loyal through good and hard times, helping the name Peugeot to get established in Lincolnshire along with our five sub dealers, helping to build the brand by attending local shows long since forgotten about.

“We have nothing but praise for the way Peugeot have been with us in the past, there was a mutual respect between us both, both needing each other to push forward to succeed.

“Our customers have been and will continue to be the mainstay of our business, some are the third generations of the families we started with, many have become great friends.

“Today however the Peugeot signs are being replaced as the small family businesses in small market towns are not considered to be necessary to Peugeot's future plans, to retail cars and we have had our sales contract terminated."

They continued: “The good news however is we are still very much a repair centre as an authorised Peugeot repairer. We will also be able to point you in the right direction with new cars using trusted Peugeot dealers with whom we have worked closely in the past.

“Used car sales will continue at both sites with even more flexibility in what other brands we can now supply - the future is something to look forward to here at Hindmarch & Co.”

Peugeot, owned by PSA Group, has been approached for a comment.

The manufacturer has reportedly been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, along with many others.

Customers have been quick to send messages of support on social media.

One woman wrote: "Such a shame and I hope Peugeot realise how good you have been for their brand over the years."

And a man added: "So sad to hear this, you have been part of the fabric of the motor trade in this area for so long."

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