By Ellis Butcher Business editor

Last updated at 16:42, Friday, 03 August 2012

A mechanic who cut his teeth fixing excavators and cars for a construction and rail company is defying the recession to fulfil his ambitions of running his own business.

Peter and Laura Haile

Peter Haile, formerly the man under the bonnet for 12 years at the Story Group on Carlisle’s Burgh Road Industrial Estate, has branched out with wife Laura, 35.

They couple have established P&L Haile Mechanical Services from a newly-refurbished unit on the Syke Park industrial estate at Wigton, which is Peter’s home town.

It follows months of scouring the market for the right premises.

The new business will be offering anyone with four wheels and an engine a full range of services. These include servicing and repairs, welding, MOTs, diagnostics, bodywork and valeting for private and commercial vehicles, along with a 24-hour callout recovery pick-up facility.

Peter, 32, knows his way around many makes and models having risen through the ranks at the Story Group, which has a large fleet of vehicles on the road.

Starting as a 20-year-old fitter he quickly commanded respect and in 2003, when the company expanded, he concentrated on the plant maintenance side of the business.

In 2008, Peter was promoted to plant workshop manager, then in 2011 he took over as service manager covering the whole of the Story fleet.

Peter has also picked up many industry qualifications along the way including assessment.

Before starting at the Story Group, he worked at Smithfield Garage at Kirklinton, near Carlisle, for two years.

He says the decision to leave the relative safety of the Story Group and set up in business himself was a difficult one, but the couple have dreamt of owning their own business for several years.

Peter was looking for a new challenge and forging his own path so that he has a business to potentially hand over to his two young sons.

He said: “It’s been a tough decision to start my own business but Laura and I have talked about it for a while now.

“Story’s is a great place to work and I’ve learnt a lot from working there, as well as meeting and working with some great people.

“But I wanted a new challenge and starting my own business seemed the next logical step.”

Peter has always lived in Wigton and attended the Nelson Thomlinson School before going into the motor trade.

Laura, who worked part-time at HSBC in English Street, Carlisle, is joining to provide the necessary office, financial and administrative skills.

First published at 14:10, Friday, 03 August 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk