HARD-WORKING mechanics have been praised for keeping cars on the road.

Ramsey Hill Garage, in Rectory Lane, has been open in the village for more than 20 years.

Manager Ben Howard, 41, decided to keep the garage open after the lockdown measures were introduced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Howard, of Artillery Drive, Dovercourt, said: “We kept going because we feel we’re part of the community and we are trying to keep key workers moving.

“When the virus first started we saw that garages are on the list of essential businesses.

“We had a chat with our employees to see if they feel safe to continue working, but everyone said we need to come to work, to do our little bit for the community.”

He also said they used to give lifts to all their customers to help them pick up and drop off cars, but now they are picking up and dropping off cars door to door while wearing gloves and keeping as hygienic as possible.

He added: “We have always been a busy garage, and even if numbers have slightly dropped, our business is going as usual.”

He added: “We’d like to thank all our customers for sticking with us and keeping us going.”

Natalia Child said Ramsey Hill Garage has set the standard all other garages should look to.

She said: “They are fair, honest and always go the extra mile to help their community.

“They have many elderly and vulnerable customers who they look after and help them with things other garages wouldn’t, many times for free.

“They are key workers, but mechanics do seem to be forgotten about, and not getting the same mentions as other essential workers.

“We need delivery drivers, emergency services on the road, and our cars to take us to the shops, but we need people like Ramsey Hill Garage to be there for us in case we break down.”

Customer Morag Young said the garage deserves praise for staying open through the lockdown. She said: “All the staff have worked tremendously hard to keep the cars of local people and essential key workers on the road”.

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