A NAME synonymous with quality mechanical servicing has been given a new lease of life. When John ‘Chick’ Robilliard died in January, colleagues made the heartbreaking decision to close Chick’s Motors and Marine.

It ceased trading at the beginning of April, but a fortnight later two long-standing employees, Karen Vaudin and Gerry Pols, opened their new venture retaining part of the company.

Chick’s 2007 operates out of Dyson’s Quarry, South Side, St Sampson’s

Mrs Vaudin said: ‘Life must go on and so must Chick’s name.’

Both said business had exceeded their expectations, but it had not been an easy transition.

‘Hard work, sweat, tears and tantrums with emotions running high over the last six months, but there is light ahead of what has been a very long, turbulent and emotional tunnel,’ said Mrs Vaudin.

‘We would both like to thank everybody who has helped or wished us luck on our adventure, with a special thank you to all businesses within Dyson’s Quarry for all their help and support.’

Chick’s 2007 has two extensive tool and construction equipment franchises carried forward from the previous business – Northern Tools equipment and SIP quality tools. They were started by Chick eight and four years ago respectively.

It has been appointed stockist of CAT pressure pumps and Wessex Resins. Chick’s 2007 is also the exclusive local agent for Sukida and Skygo scooters, the current best-selling Chinese bikes in the UK, and has taken on the dealership of Polaris quads.

The new premises are directly behind Blind O’Reilly’s.

Mr Pols said: ‘We have a large first-floor showroom and are extending the existing ground-floor one. Our unit also includes a large fully equipped workshop, which is more extensive than what we had at Collings Road.’

Northern Tools does everything from agricultural to construction equipment.

‘We keep a large range in stock: air compressors, generators, lawn mowers, gardening tools, welders, hand and power tools, pressure washers.’

Mr Pols will service and maintain all the equipment and, having been approached by many of his former marine customers, is still offering all aspects of general engineering including marine and power equipment servicing and repairs.

‘We are able to offer overwintering of outboards as we did at the old Chick’s.’

Mrs Vaudin said they were looking to expand but were also feeling the pressure of going from seven members of staff to two.

‘We are currently taking on people for work experience with the view that as business continues to expand, we will need more staff.

‘We are getting brilliant feedback from customers who have either followed us from Collings Road or found us for the first time.’