Russell's Garage closes after 112 years trading

Security fencing went up around Russell's Garage in London Road as the sale of the Russell's group - which also has a branch in Eastbourne - came into effect.

New Renault models had been removed as staff gathered in the empty showroom this morning to be told what was to happen to them.

Sale to the Tunbridge Wells-based Lifestyle Europe group means that while the former Russell's branch at Eastbourne will remain open under new ownership, that at Bexhill closed with immediate effect.

Lifestyle Europe has Renault among agencies which also include Ford, Iveco and Subaru.

Until recently. the Bexhill branch of Russells employed more than 30 people. This was down to about 18 before the sale to Lifestyle Europe.

The Observer understands that staff have been offered employment at other Lifestyle Europe branches.

A spokesman for the three Russell's directors said they were precluded under contract from making any comment.

Russell's was founded in Bexhill by Louis Russell but the London Road premises were deemed too cramped to meet standards demanded by Renault and the main dealership was transferred to the Eastbourne branch some years ago with the Bexhill branch becoming a satellite.

Staff had been forewarned that a sale was under negotiation.

Describing the mood as the news was announced, one insider said: "Actually, it was not too bad.

"Quite a lot are senior staff. Russells guys and gals tend to have been there a long time. There are a lot who are in their late fifties and some may well be over retirement age.

"We still had a guy until a little while ago who was still driving for us at 87!

"It was never a hire-and-fire outfit.

"Usually, if people say they have worked at Russell's, other garages snap them up.

"It is very disappointing. This was still a profitable business. That is the sad part."

Russell's Garage celebrated its centenary in 1996. At its peak, the firm employed more than 50 people and had other sites in Hastings, Eastbourne and Rye.

In 1996 the firm closed its Rye Harbour branch.

Louis Russell founded his firm as a cycle shop further up London Road. It became one of the country's oldest-established Renault dealerships.

Louis Russell was known as "Bexhill's father of the fire brigade." Clever adaptation of the town brigade's old horse-drawn steam-powered Merryweather pump created the borough's first motorised fire engine.

Most of the volunteer firefighters at the time were Russell's employees.

The firm also had a long association with the St John Ambulance Brigade.

Louis Russell was one of the earliest local supporters of the movement. His firm supplied and built a special bodywork on the chassis of a Minervra - one of its marques - to create the town's motorised ambulance.

Russell's was sold out of family ownership about 15 years ago in a management buy-out.