Geoff Venus trained in the trade in the 1990s, left it for the Civil Service, and now runs the Hallgarth garage.
Meet Geoff Venus, the new owner of the well-known Hallgarth garage in Lanchester.
After training as a mechanic in the 1990s, Geoff left the trade to become a Civil Servant. The Covid pandemic inspired him to rethink his career, and he started his own business from home before taking over the Hallgarth garage following Dave Donnelly’s retirement in 2024.
Since then, Geoff has invested in new equipment, grown the team to include Kevin, Ben and Heidi, and is building a thriving local business. Independent garages like Geoff’s provide trusted, affordable repairs while supporting the local community.
Despite increasing challenges sourcing parts and accessing the latest vehicle diagnostics, Geoff continues to invest in the future, with plans for more equipment, new technology and improvements to the building.
Supporting local businesses helps keep communities moving.
Words and photographs by Chris Bruce, Communities in Focus
