1 week Ago
Brad Stevens has worked at Stevens Motors since 1976 when he joined at 19-years-old. After 48 years of work at the garage, he closed its doors for the final time last month. “It’s a strange feeling (retiring) after all these years," said Brad.
"I’ve been there every day of working life since I was 19 and I don’t think I’ve ever been away from the garage for more than three weeks in a row." Brad has worked at Stevens Motors since 1976 when he joined the family business aged 19 (Image: Leigh Stevens) “I’ve always enjoyed working on cars - its been a bit stressful here and there with Ulez (Ultra Low Emission Zone) and Covid, which meant I had to take a lot of money out but it's been great overall. “I’ve only just managed to pay my loans back which is why I’m retiring now.
" Brad's daughter Leigh flew from her home in Dubai to surprise her father at a retirement celebration on March 22. She described the closure of Stevens Motors as "the end of an era". She said: "When my dad first joined the garage in 1976 there were a total of four garages in Wanstead: Wanstead Garage, Browns and Nightingale Motors, all of which were small family-run businesses.
"Over the course of the years, and with the closure of Browns in 2015, Stevens Motors was the only independent garage in Wanstead." Stevens Motors has been based in Wanstead since 1968 (Image: Google) Stevens Motors was founded by Brad's father John Stevens in 1949 and was originally based in Forest Gate. In 1968, Brad's two brothers took over the business and moved to Wallington Road in Wanstead and Brad joined the team eight years later upon leaving school.
Brad officially took over the business in 2006 when his brothers retired. “When we first started in Wanstead, all we did was Volkswagens," he said. “Now it’s ridiculous – I’m not very computer literate so it’s been a struggle to learn and keep up.
"I don’t know anything about the electric vehicles now so I think it's time for me to retire and let the youngsters get on with that." A surprise celebration was hosted for Brad (middle) (Image: Leigh Stevens) Brad will be part working, picking up the phone in Dipsticks Garage in South Woodford to ensure his previous customers are continued to be looked after in his absence. He said: “I want to make sure things are done for my customers the same way I’ve done them for years.
“My customers are very happy with the way I service their cars. “I know lots of them by first name – they’ve been coming to us for years and years." Leigh added: “There’s an element of attachment there for my dad – he’s a bit worried about leaving them and wants to make sure they’re well looked after.
" Brad claimed he was "looking forward to retirement" although Leigh insisted that he will most likely end up in the garage fixing things at home instead of relaxing..
