Soul Garages in Olney has been named Independent Garage of the Year at the 2025 Motor Trader Industry Awards, securing one of the biggest accolades in the UK motoring sector. The win places the long-established business at the top of a national shortlist of eight finalists.
Held at London’s Grosvenor House, the 35th annual ceremony is widely regarded as the Oscars of the motor industry. More than 700 dealers, suppliers and service providers attended the event, which was hosted by actor and comedian Sally Phillips.
Award judges praised Soul Garages for its “reliability, transparency and community support”, highlighting an innovative customer journey and a strong people-first culture.
Established more than 100 years ago, Soul Garages has built its reputation on consistent service, technical expertise and longstanding community relationships. The business continues to invest in new equipment, staff training and customer experience enhancements to meet the evolving needs of motorists across Olney and the surrounding area.
Colin Gleghorn, managing director at Soul Garages, said the award reflects the work of the entire team. “Winning Independent Garage of the Year is an incredible moment for us. However, it’s also a recognition of the commitment our team shows every single day. We care deeply about doing things properly, supporting our customers and remaining a trusted part of the Olney community. This award reinforces that we’re on the right path.”
He added that the judges’ comments carried particular significance. “Hearing that we stood out for our transparency and community focus means a great deal. Those values have shaped this business for more than a century. We’ll continue building on them as we look ahead.”
The award also signals continued momentum for independent garages within the motoring sector. Rising customer expectations, increased vehicle complexity and demand for more personalised service all place renewed value on trusted local operators. Therefore, Soul Garages’ national recognition highlights the strength of small, community-based businesses in a competitive market.
Soul Garages plans to use the achievement to further strengthen its offer, with additional training programmes and customer experience upgrades scheduled for later this year. Meanwhile, Colin said the business remains anchored to its roots. “We couldn’t have reached this point without the customers who choose us, recommend us and support us. This win is as much theirs as it is ours.”
