The TVR Centre lives !
Discussion
The TVR Centre is back again!
If like me, you were left wondering where to go for service, parts and support after the closure of The TVR Centre in Arkley, Barnet AND the closure of Leven at Basildon within days of that (I was a customer there), there's some GOOD news for a change.
Martin and some of the other friendly faces from The TVR Centre at Barnet have set up a new facility in modern and spacious premises in Hertford. Apparently with effect from this week they are officially "Bespoke Performance" and are at 7 Fountain Drive, Hertford, Herts. SG13 7UB. The phone No. is 01992 500038.
I found them there on Saturday and the directions are when you get to Hertford, follow signs to Hertford East railway station. That takes you past a big Tesco on your right, then the station, also on your right. Cross straight over the mini roundabout at the station and very shortly afterwards, follow the road round a sharp right hand bend. Then continue straight ahead running alongside the railway line on your right. You will see a left turn into a trading estate and that road says "leading to Fountain Drive". There is an early, pre-launch, website still under construction at www.bespokeperformance.co.uk
Because of their reputation I plan to use this new independent to look after my P&J so would appreciate seeing any feedback from anyone who tries them out in their new home.
If like me, you were left wondering where to go for service, parts and support after the closure of The TVR Centre in Arkley, Barnet AND the closure of Leven at Basildon within days of that (I was a customer there), there's some GOOD news for a change.
Martin and some of the other friendly faces from The TVR Centre at Barnet have set up a new facility in modern and spacious premises in Hertford. Apparently with effect from this week they are officially "Bespoke Performance" and are at 7 Fountain Drive, Hertford, Herts. SG13 7UB. The phone No. is 01992 500038.
I found them there on Saturday and the directions are when you get to Hertford, follow signs to Hertford East railway station. That takes you past a big Tesco on your right, then the station, also on your right. Cross straight over the mini roundabout at the station and very shortly afterwards, follow the road round a sharp right hand bend. Then continue straight ahead running alongside the railway line on your right. You will see a left turn into a trading estate and that road says "leading to Fountain Drive". There is an early, pre-launch, website still under construction at www.bespokeperformance.co.uk
Because of their reputation I plan to use this new independent to look after my P&J so would appreciate seeing any feedback from anyone who tries them out in their new home.
RM75 said:
nikman, genuine question, do you work for them or something? It's just that on a previous thread you never seemed to miss a chance of publicising their new telephone number and address.
Personally, I would have liked to have used them in the past as they are close to me, but was put off by reports of high prices. Maybe if they're now further from London they'll be more competitive.
RM75, genuine answer!!... No, I neither work for them nor have any other connection or interest with their business. Personally, I would have liked to have used them in the past as they are close to me, but was put off by reports of high prices. Maybe if they're now further from London they'll be more competitive.
Despite living just 3 miles form their old Arkley facility, I was a loyal customer of Leven and drove the 40 miles each way between here and Basildon when necessary. In fact the only time I have EVER used The TVR Centre was 3.5 years ago before buying my car (privately) and they looked over (and under) it for me before I went ahead with the purchase.
One reason I support and promote them now (as you've noticed
) is because with the disappearance of their Arkley garage, Leven Technology AND Silverstone Performance all within one month of each other, there was a service vacum here in this region and adjoining ones that badly needed filling for the good of everyone. IMO, without the ongoing specialist support from the likes of The TVR Centre for service and parts, our cars will be less attractive when offered for re-sale and consequently the market for them could diminish.The other reason is that they seem very nice blokes who, if these forums are to be relied upon, have an excellent reputation which would be wasted if they were not encouraged and supported now.
As far as their prices go, I've no experience of their rates but from what I've heard, they are in line with similar indedpendent specialiasts.
I don't work for them either, but I will definitely be making the detour to them for all my servicing. In fact they just did my 150,000 mile service on my T350t so I guess, technically they work for me.
Admittedly the location isn't as convenient for me but these are the guys who have kept me in TVRs and those TVRs going for over a quarter of a million miles. I'm sure there are other great mechanics/technicians/specialists out there but these are the guys I'd recommend every time. If there's a story to tell about what happened at Barnet it has certainly not got anything to do with the quality of their work, though I guess the rent on their new premises may be significantly more affordable than their previous place . . .
And it's more modern.
Admittedly the location isn't as convenient for me but these are the guys who have kept me in TVRs and those TVRs going for over a quarter of a million miles. I'm sure there are other great mechanics/technicians/specialists out there but these are the guys I'd recommend every time. If there's a story to tell about what happened at Barnet it has certainly not got anything to do with the quality of their work, though I guess the rent on their new premises may be significantly more affordable than their previous place . . .
And it's more modern.
mistermagoo said:
The question is why did they fail first time at Arkley??? and why will Hertford be any diffrent? I hope they do ok as they offer a great service and its neare to me lol
pretty obvious in my experience. I chose to use these guys due to their fantastic service, reputation, passion. They were always helpful, knowledgable and friendly. But when a previous car needed a rebuild and it was sent to Power for the work - they tried charging me £600 for engine out work, even though it was included in the total rebuild price that I was already paying. I obviously refused to pay this, and once the rebuild was done, I took my business elsewhere and haven't been back. It is a shame to be treated like that as I was a loyal and frequent customer.mistermagoo said:
The question is why did they fail first time at Arkley??? and why will Hertford be any diffrent? I hope they do ok as they offer a great service and its neare to me lol
Abz felt so strongly about it he answered three times. 
I've been away from TVR dealers for about ten years so have no personal knowledge of the guys that were at Barnet but I have been in the trade for nearly twenty years. Having just seen a previous employer close down last month it is very rarely anything to do with the quality of work in the workshops.
It's normally poor management of the overall business, lack of/sufficient desirable product or as is frequently the case nowadays the ROCE is so low you're better off cutting your losses and selling the site for something like housing.
ETA: Good luck to the guys at Bespoke.
Edited by Roo on Thursday 25th November 09:59
RM75 said:
nikman, genuine question, do you work for them or something? It's just that on a previous thread you never seemed to miss a chance of publicising their new telephone number and address.
Personally, I would have liked to have used them in the past as they are close to me, but was put off by reports of high prices. Maybe if they're now further from London they'll be more competitive.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, IF YOU CANT AFFORD THERE SERVICE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE>>>>>Personally, I would have liked to have used them in the past as they are close to me, but was put off by reports of high prices. Maybe if they're now further from London they'll be more competitive.
TOV!E said:
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, IF YOU CANT AFFORD THERE SERVICE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE>>>>>
agree entirely with this, but equally I'm not willing to write a blank cheque whenever asked, and my experience was very disappointing. In the end I did go elsewhere, and I can't have been the only one.They're a good bunch and except for one (small) hiccup I've been happy to use them. It's good to have them back within shooting range of London. The prices being a bit higher was probably a function of being in London, so perhaps they will revise things a little in the new premises. I'll certainly be using them if need be.
mistermagoo said:
I did not mean to be nasty what i meant was if its not working in Arkley then why will it work in Hertford??I also hope they do well as they have helped me in the past and i was very satisfied with there service,
Maybe the thing that suddenly stopped it working at Arkley is not relevent to the new premisis? That would be my assumption.I also suspect that compared to 10 to 15 years ago there are far fewer Tivs in central London meaning that being as close as they were isn't as relevant as it once was, so being a little further out wouldn't matter.
Went to go see the guys last night, the road they are on is easy to find, but at night with infamous Cerbera headlamps I was driving around not being able to see much in the pitch black and drove past them about 2-3 times! Theres a TVR sign on the entrance (which I missed at first!), but the unit isn't completely obvious in the pitch black. Unless you walk up to the door and look in its hard to tell they are there. Might a bit easier in the day light though, maybe the shutters were just down cause of the time I arrived.
Top guys though and even got a lift back to the station
Top guys though and even got a lift back to the station
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