Product divisions:

Hire Cooling - For all your cooling and air conditioning needs.

Hire Heating - For all your heating needs.

Hire Access Platforms - For all your access needs.

Astley Hire » Newsletter » Winter 2003

Winter 2003

History of Astley Hire Part 3 (1975 to 1978)

The next few years were busy ones for the Dorricotts, as they set about establishing their business. The hire of tools and equipment industry was very much in its early stages, so as well as establishing the business, they had to innovate and learn from the start. It is taken for granted today, but in the 1970's there were few hire companies to benchmark against.

The Astley depot was closed and the business moved to Brooklands Mill, on English St, in Leigh. This was where Michael started to learn the trade, alongside his father, Cyril. The move allowed Astley Hire to begin to create a strong presence in Leigh which has lasted ever since.

The mill premises were not ideal, though, and within 18 months the depot was moved again. The decision was also taken to close the Atherton depot and to combine it with the Leigh depot.

The new Leigh premises were at the rear show room of County Motors on Chapel St. This was the first time that the two brothers Michael and Stephen worked together, as they still do today.

The two brothers have always managed to split the business between them — Michael learnt his side of the business in the workshop, and Stephen on the hire counter. This proved to be the perfect combination, as their strengths and experiences now compliment each other wonderfully.

Stephen has gone on to study accounts and marketing, while Michael has continued to learn about the equipment, health and safety issues, and training. For a short while they were joined in the business by their sister Carole, until she left to start a family.

The business grew steadily over the next few years — the car show room advertised itself more, and customers became increasingly aware of Astley Hire. Advertising in newspapers was then seen as a major method of promotion.

In 1978, it was felt that to take the business forward a full time rep was required. At that time, the main competitor was a company called John Simms. They were based 800 yards away and they had three or four reps, concentrating on the construction market (they would much later be bought out by HSS)

So Astley Hire employed their first full time rep, George Voiels (until this time the selling was being done by Cyril). George came to the business with a lot of experience, having worked for three other hire companies, his last being as sales manager for PB Power Tools.

George proved to be an excellent addition to the team, and the business grew quickly over the next two years. So much so, that a decision was made to move again to bigger premises, this time away from the main road. New, more suitable premises were found on Moss Industrial Estate. The company moved there in October 1978, and remains there today.

Christmas opening hours

The Bolton depot is closed from Christmas Eve until Monday 5th January 2004. Any enquiries should be made to the Leigh depot during their opening hours, which are as follows:

An out-of-hours contact number for the festive period is available from the depot managers by prior arrangement.

Copyright © 2000 - 2008 Astley Hire Ltd. All rights reserved. Site designed by: Paul Waring.