PROUD TO SERVE EAST ANGLIA

This year marks a celebration for the family-run dealership, Wallis & Son Ltd, as the company was first established by the present fourth generation's great grandfather in 1937 making it the firm's 70th birthday. The business has been operating from the same site since 1984 and Wallis and Son has gained an excellent reputation for providing high levels of customer care.

The Wallis family have managed the business from the very start of operations 70 years ago. Nigel Wallis, assisted by Steve Kent, runs the sales operation while Nigel's son Elliot is in charge of the busy workshop with Shatish Bhundia joining him six months ago as his right hand man. Nigel's wife, Richelle, originally from the States, has managed the busy convenience store for the past 21 years and Elliot's wife, Hannah, is in overall charge of the important backroom administration side of the business that supports the rest of the business.

The Wallis family enjoy a rich heritage in which to be proud. The family have long established links with aviation in East Anglia. An ancestor, Percy Valentine, constructed and piloted the Wallbro Monoplane, the first aircraft to be flown in the Eastern Counties back on the 12th May 1910.

More recently, Elliot's Great Uncle, Wing Commander Kenneth Horatio Wallace MBE was a leading advocate of the autogyro, an aircraft popularised in 1967 by the James Bond film, You Only Live Twice, in which Wing Commander Wallace piloted gyrocopter WA-118 in all the action sequences. The machine, called Little Nellie after music hall star, Nellie Wallace, was constructed by Ken who had to make more than 80 flights to capture the required exciting footage which, after editing, lasted minutes on screen.

Wing Cmdr Wallis was also the oldest pilot to set a world record when on March 19th in 1998 he flew the fastest climb to 3,000 metres in an autogyro in the county of Norfolk when aged 81 years, just 28 days short of his 82nd birthday!

He was an outstanding pilot with a distinguished military career which started with flying patrols in Westland Lysanders for the RAF. In 1942 he flew Wellington bombers near Grimsby after being transferred to Bomber Command. After serving in Italy he became involved in research and development still within the RAF before retiring to Norfolk in 1942.

Back to the present day and pictures and accompanying articles relating to the Wallis family history hang in the customer reception area for all to read.

Wallis & Son has grown from strength to strength and the business continues to thrive. The Car Sales Department has become a first port of call for many car buyers from across East Anglia. Around 25 percent of purchasers arrive from outside the region but that number is steadily increasing thanks mainly to the internet. Currently, 75 percent of sales are generated via the company website which you can find at www.wallisandson.co.uk. When visiting the dealership in Barton you will find a fine selection of around 80 carefully selected, premium sector quality used cars priced from about £3,000 on up to around £40,000. Most cars feature mileages of less than 50,000 and the majority have higher than average specification. All vehicles are covered by a reassuringly comprehensive warranty and you can always expect the highest levels of aftersales service.

You will enjoy the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere where there is never any pressure to purchase. Nigel Wallis and Steve have many years of car retailing experience to call upon and should you wish to buy an attractive financial package can be tailored to match your needs.

Wallis & Son is a member of the Good Garage Scheme which means that the dealership must adhere to a strict code of conduct. Only the finest service garages are permitted to join the scheme which is designed to maintain the highest workmanship and customer service standards. Wallis & Son is also a member of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).

Wallis & Son has invested more than half a million pounds in order to provide the Service Workshop with the very best facilities. This highly impressive workshop includes the latest tools and 'SNAP-ON' multi-franchise diagnostic fault finding systems are featured along modern 'Seal Lifter' ramps which magically disappear into the concrete floor whilst not in use to save space. The up to date MOT testing bay can provide tests on cars and light commercial vehicles. Elliot and Shatish ensure that there are almost 'clean-room' conditions within the workshop which you can view from the comfortable reception area whilst waiting for your vehicle to be MOT tested.

Everything from routine servicing to major repair work is undertaken on all makes and models and the skilled technicians are highly-trained to deliver the best possible workmanship. MOTs can be carried out while you wait but for longer periods Wallis & Son offers a courtesy car. The company operates one of the largest courtesy fleets in the region and the new Vauxhall Corsas are replaced every two years. Running a large courtesy fleet assists in reducing lead times. Book your vehicle in to the recently-expanded and modernised workshop and the eight skilled, highly-trained technicians can often begin work the very next day. Many local businesses use the workshop services at Wallis & Son and Cambridge University regularly maintain their fleet of 50 vehicles through the dealership.

It's just over two years since Elliot first established the while-you-wait tyre supply and fitting operation, Active Tyres, which he created in July 2005. Ian Walker manages this fast-moving part of the business which quickly became popular with many local motorists due to its competitive pricing and the vast range of tyres. Active Tyres can supply tyres to match all budgets from stock, or within 24 hours of an order being placed. A laser tracking machine ensures that four-wheel alignment is performed accurately and all product prices are extremely competitive. What's more, there are no hidden charges and they will not be beaten on price or service!

Last but not least, Wallis & Son runs a popular filling station selling Pace Petroleum. The convenience store stocks an amazing variety of products. Run by Nigel's wife, Richelle, the shop sells an impressive line up of American foods featuring some of best known brands including Hershey. Richelle also ensures that her store is well-stocked with dairy produce including Walls icecream, wines and spirits, newspapers and magazines along with all the things that you could possibly expect to find including a National Lottery sales point, a cash machine, screenwash, engine oils and car cleaning kits.

At Wallis & Son Ltd, you can expect an honest, competent and efficient service from a family-run company with years of customer care experience. There's plenty of parking so why not call into Wallis & Son Ltd, Cavendish House, Cambridge Road in Barton, Cambridge (CB3 7AR) or telephone (01223) 263911 to find out more. Alternatively, log on to www.wallisandson.co.uk to see their fine selection of prestige cars online 24 hours a day.