The Fixer fixed us!
Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date published: 17 February 2012
TV stars: Lindsay Smith and Gareth Lord will feature in BBC Two programme “The Fixer” on Tuesday
Garage gets full service from TV troubleshooter
TWO Oldhamers have been given a business MOT after a television expert swooped in to fix a garage they work for.
BBC audiences will be welcomed into the working world of the Lord family when they appear on Alex Polizzi’s new show “The Fixer” — in an attempt to boost business.
Among the staff at Ashton-based Guide Bridge MOT and Service, headed by owners Derek and Jan Lord, are son Gaz (33), from Dobcross, and suite manager Lindsay Smith (40), from Failsworth.
The matriarch of the business made the plea following fears of losing her home and possibly the prospect of making her own children unemployed.
Mechanic Gaz admits he wasn’t happy at first about the candid nature of the programme.
He said: “It was hard work but interesting at the same time.
“I wouldn’t consider us a failing business, we are a struggling business through hard times. I was not originally happy about the programme. But we have learned things through the experience which can take our business forward.
“Alex comes across as hard-faced on television, but she is a really nice woman.”
Polizzi shot to prominence as presenter of Channel 5’s “The Hotel Inspector”.
She sent the Lord family to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium to sample the Premier League club’s hospitality operation in a bid to learn good customer service in her makeover of the business.
The family were challenged to bring in more work by offering a course to get more women into the garage and to win a large-fleet contract.
Lindsay, who describes herself as a “surrogate” member of the family said it has brought the group closer together.
She said: “The whole experience was an eye-opener, but it has been really helpful and improved our customer service.”
The programme is on BBC Two at 8pm on Tuesday.
