A NORTH-EAST motor dealer, launched from a kitchen table just seven years ago, is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Wynyard Motor Company is a finalist in the 10th annual Auto Trader Click Awards as one of the top 20 performing independent garages out of 8,000 in the UK.

Following its launch in a house on Teesside’s Wynyard Estate in October 2010, the family business has gone from strength to strength and now occupies a one-acre site with a £15m turnover.

That rapid growth is behind its qualification as a finalist in the Digital Retailer of the Year category at the Auto Trader Click Awards. The awards will be presented at Banking Hall in London on June 29 and hosted by award-winning BBC broadcaster Steph McGovern.

Owner Lee Spensley said: “We’re delighted because being shortlisted for a national award, as one of the top 20 independent dealers in the UK, shows we are giving customers a first class service.”

Mr Spensley is a well-known Middlesbrough-born entrepreneur, whose family built their business interests around pubs and clubs, owning high-profile venues such as The Dickens Inn, TS One, and Spensleys.

Greg Ramsey, director of Wynyard Motor Company, had originally been working as a DJ for the family before agreeing with Lee to start a garage together.

“We’ve been friends for a long time and decided one day to take the plunge into the motors market. We started small, working online from a kitchen table, and it just grew from there,” said Mr Ramsey.

Within months, the business was doing so well that it outgrew the house in Wynyard and leased a unit at Preston Farm, Stockton. The growth continued so the company decided to buy a site on Portrack Lane in November 2014.

It is a real family affair, with Lee’s father Anthony co-owner, his wife Amanda managing the accounts, and son Charlie looking after marketing. Greg’s father Ian is also a salesman.

The company deals in a wide range of stock, from prestige cars – including Porsche, Bentley, Mercedes, and BMW – to family vehicles.

“We pride ourselves on dealing in quality cars and treating our customers fairly,” said Mr Ramsey. “There’s no pressure sales here. The business is built on trust and being shortlisted for the award shows that we are getting it right.”