The Bridgegate Tyres Ltd group of companies includes J D & J Watson in Wolsingham, Town & Country Tyres in Middlesbrough, as well as strategically located service points.
Our commitment is to offer all our customers the best tyres and service, by well equipped and trained technicians, backed up by the highest level of customer service.
About
John Watson had built a thriving business servicing the tyre needs of farmers and hauliers around the thriving market town of Barnard Castle in Teesdale from his base Wolsingham some 12 miles to the north. He was not unfamiliar with Barnard Castle and had a great respect and liking for the town, being one of the "old boys" of the then County School with many of his former school mates as clients.
John judged that opening a new branch nearer to this large client base would greatly improve the level of service that he could provide together with passing trade from visitors who would appreciate a quality service.
At around this time, Banners Mill in Bridgegate became available and seemed an ideal purchase, and it was acquired in 1971, it would accommodate his needs nicely. Bridgegate Tyres was born.
While John managed his other business interests at Wolsingham, his daughter, Hazel Watson Barker, took over the responsibility of managing the fledgling Bridgegate Tyres. Her late husband, Richard Barker, a haulier himself, contributed his vast fund of experience and knowledge to the enterprise, and the business prospered, with success following much hard work.
The economic benefits of this success have contributed to the town also as the business brings clients to Barnard Castle and the increase in staff to support the developments over the years has brought job security to local people.
Bridgegate Tyres supplies all leading makes of tyres and tyre products, batteries, exhaust systems and sundry motorists needs. In addition we offer our large local clientele of farmers, hauliers and transport operators a personal Tyre Management Service, which affords them security, reliability, economic maintenance of their vehicles.
Hazel recruited her son, Alan Bowman, into the business bringing with him a wealth of experience to act as General Manager of the local depot. His innovative ideas have contributed to the success and considerable reputation for the quality that the firm enjoys today. Alan was subsequently appointed Managing Director and is as committed as ever to the needs of Bridgegate's customers as in recent years the Bridgegate Tyres group of companies has expanded, with a mixture of fixed depots and flexible service locations.
More than thirty years on, John Watson can now look forward to the fourth generation of his family being involved in Bridgegate Tyres, Barnard Castle.