Shock death puts brakes on car firm

EMPTY . . . the forecourt at Silverstone Trade Centre

A MAJOR car dealership has dramatically shut down after owner Ian Silverstone was found hanged.

Dozens of prestige cars for sale at Silverstone Trade Centre, Huddersfield Road, Oldham, including top British and German marques, have been cleared from the site. Offices are now empty.

Sole proprietor Ian Silverstone, who was only in his 40s, was found dead at his home in Higher Lane, Whitefield, on Thursday evening.

A police spokesman said Mr Silverstone had been found hanged. He added that there were no suspicious circumstances.

A business colleague, who did not want to be named, said he understood Mr Silverstone had personal problems.

But there is not thought to be any connection with the recession as the business had traded successfully on the site since 2001.

The colleague added: “The company had three employees and had traded successfully since 2001. We did have a large number of prestige cars for sale. But these were with us on a sale or return basis.

“Mr Silverstone was the sole trader in the company and when he died, all the cars had to go back to the suppliers.

“It’s a shame because we were a well-established local business. But the death forced the closure of the company.”

As the drama unfolded, there were some anxious moments for customer Craig Swire (24), from Wrexham, and his partner.

They travelled to Oldham after seeing a BMW Z3 they liked the look of on the Silverstone website.

They bought the car but became worried when they could not get in touch with the dealers and saw that all cars had been cleared.

But after the Chronicle intervened to help, business collegues of Mr Silverstone said Mr Swire could still have his car and would not lose his deposit.

An inquest into Mr Silverstone’s death has been opened and adjourned.