Tyn Lon Volvo dealer principal Barry Baynham has celebrated 40 years at the helm of the Swedish brand's only franchise in North Wales, claiming that he “hasn’t looked back”.

Baynham acquired the dealership, which has represented the Volvo brand at the site for 55 years, in late 1977 and said that the demands on product training had delivered the greatest change to the business which he started with a single Volvo model offered for sale.

The 69-year-old, who runs the business with co-owner Neil Williams, said: “There are certainly more big changes to come in the technological field and we will see an increasing level of electrification of vehicles.

“I think the technological advances which will come in the next 40 years will see the changes I have experienced over the past 40 years pale into insignificance.”

Tyn Lon Garage is located in Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, the village which has the title of the longest name in the UK – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyll-llantysiliogogogoch – and Baynham took the helm after starting his career in automotive as a sales executive.

He said: “When Tyn Lon came on the market in 1977, it was the right time and right place and I took the opportunity to own and run my own business. I haven’t looked back.

“Over the past 40 years with the marque, the model range has changed dramatically. We only had one model when I first started working with Volvo.

“We have many of the same customers with some who have been with Tyn Lon longer than me. The changes in technology have been quite incredible; we used to stock shelves of spark plugs, which we don’t need anymore.”

Tyn Lon employs 35 people including many who have clocked up 20 or 30 years with the business.

The business continues their tradition of sponsoring and supporting local charities, organisations and clubs.

Past sponsorships have included The Snowdon Mountain Race, British Heart Foundation and numerous Junior Football, Rugby and Golf clubs.