Churchill to set up more bodyshops

Churchill Insurance is interviewing staff for two new accident repair centres in Middlewich, Cheshire, and Nottingham.

The two bodyshops, which will be based on Churchill's blueprint of 12-15,000 sq. ft. centres employing 50 staff, will open later this year and take the wholly-owned network to seven.

A spokeswoman said Churchill had set up several partnerships this year, including agreements with Nationwide and the AA, which were bringing in additional work.

“Churchill Accident Repair Centres are there to complement the existing network so we expect our approved repairers to retain similar levels of business,” she said.

“The centres are not designed to replaced our approved network, they will fill gaps in the country.”

The business is managed independently of Churchill and “has to be self-supporting”, said the spokeswoman. Churchill has not ruled out opening more bodyshops in the UK if demand for accident repair services continues to grow.