History of our Company

Ray Butcher started the company in August 1973. He had previously worked as a Steam Railway Fireman on British Railway during the 1960's until the steam era ended in 1968. He Obtained his driving license to drive buses and coaches in 1968 at the legal age of 21 and after working for the Ribble of Blackburn Depot, he left in 1970 to start a totally different career in the Hospitals as a Theatre Operating Technician at Blackburn Plymouth and Wrightington (Hip Replacement Centre), qualifying in 1973. He relocated to Manchester in August 1973 where he started his own Bus and Coach Company, operating, servicing and maintaining the vehicles at MOT standard (The high standard necessary for large passenger carrying vehicles. After marrying in the Late 1970s, the business became a family enterprise with the inclusion of Rays Wife (who also took and passed her test to drive buses and coaches, as well as keeping the office running smoothly), his brother Cyril joined the business later in the 1980s.With the business firmly operating as a family enterprise, the business branched out and we began production of our own small coaches. The small coaches were built around the chassis of a van, which we specially converted into a luxury coach capable of carrying up to 25 people, complete with tables. In addition, we began restoring 1940/50s to a high operational standard. By this time, we were operating two large garages with fully equipped workshops, both located in East Didsbury. In 1990, we added a MOT Test centre with Ray Butcher being the MOT Tester. Due to the success of the MOT test centre and the increase in personally motorcars, we converted one of the coach garages to allow for customized servicing and repairs of our customers motorcars. Throughout the company's life (and up to the current day), we have trained numerous young mechanical apprentices, most notably Ray Butcher's daughter Marie. Marie was the first female to obtain the NVQ Qualification (formally City and Guilds) in 1995 and the youngest female MOT tester in 1996. After leaving school in 2001, Robert joined his sister in the family business along with the qualified apprentice David Jardine who had previously achieved a Level 3 NVQ. David Jardine is still a member of the company and, along with Robert Butcher, runs the Cheadle Garage (assisted by another qualified Mechanic Mathew.In 2003, an era ended with the sale of our Garages in Didsbury and their conversion to modern housing locally known as Didsbury Heights.

The business now focuses its operations from the Garage in Cheadle where we also provide a selection of well maintained used cars for sale. Our used car range consists of budget priced cars which are road ready, normally with 12 months MOT. Our aim being to provide a safe, budget car for our customers so that they need not worry about finance. Most of our used cars have small engine sizes and therefore have cheaper insurance premiums and low car tax making them an ideal choice for young first time drivers. We recommend Ford used cars and Vauxhall used cars as they are cheap to maintain with car parts a lot cheaper and easier to obtain. After suffering 2 heart attacks and the onset of diabetes, Ray Butcher retired from the business but still remains active in an unpaid capacity providing business advice, overseeing public relations and ensuring that staff provide the same high level of customer care into the future.Throughout our history, Bee Hive Garage and all our business initiatives have been successful due to our investment in our staff and their success. We currently have several apprentices under training and operate under Manpower Government Schemes which enables us to invest in our local community whilst ensuring that we employ the latest skills and latest diagnostic equipment and remain the fore runner in our market sector and continue our business success into the future. This is obviously assisted by the personal and professional service that we have maintained throughout the years, with many of our current customers still returning since the company began in Didsbury in 1973.Bee Hive Garages success can be measured by: - The wealth of our history - The continued and sustained customer confidence - The capability and ethos of our workforce - Our commitment to the local community - Our commitment to Government motoring legislation and Policy (including recognized motoring organizations) - Our ability to compete effectively against National large companies who fit exhausts, tyres and batteries - Our pricing and affordability.

 message from Ray Butcher " I wish you safe motoring and thank you for your continued custom. As a company, Bee Hive Garage and its staff thank you for providing us the chance to look after you and your car now and in the future."

Ray and another Fireman dressed for a Saturday night out Ray in Loco ready to leave Lower Darwin Sheds for Colne Parcels  to Oldham Mumps.  Now in 2010 being demolished to make way for the Metrolink Fitting shop staff.  Note the took in overalls on Ray [left], compared to the other staff.  Early 1960s' drain pipes were the fashion although they could make things a little hotter when working!