AGENCY IN THE COUNTRY.
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of Messrs. Atkey's Commercial Vehicle Side Since 1904.
large and increasing prosperity for the city, and it must not be overlooked that the use of motor transport nowadays expands in much greater proportion than do the main industries of any district, owing to its increasing use for what may be described as local domestie services, by which we mean the carriage of commodities from workshop tc shop, from shop to household, etc_ It is evident, therefore, from a consideration of the foregoing, that there will De ample work for tie commercial-motor agent in this district, and A. R. Atkey and Co., Ltd., has only shown its usual foresight in making in advance extensive preparations for the coming boom, which preparations we are about briefly to describe.
The company has been in existence for 25 years, starting first in the cycle trade, and progressing, as most cycle agents have, into the motor industry as a natural sequence. The original premises were on the south-east side of the town, in Trent Road, where an establishment having a frontage of about 100 ft. and a total depth of 160 ft. was maintained. The advent of the commercial motor, and the realization of the extensive accommodation which this class of business demanded, was responsible for the addition, some years ago, of an extensive garage facing the original depot, and occupying four railway arches. Space behind the arches was taken, as well as a strip some yards in width between the arches and the street. The whole was covered in in a most efficient manner, giving a total .floor space of something like 20,000 square ft_ A Bowser system of petrol storage was installed, with a large underground tank ; a tyre press was laid down, and under one of the four arches a complete installation of water pipes and washing apparatus was put down. So situated, the company found itself able to carry on very well in pre-war days. An appreciation of the enormous development in the use of the commercial vehicle whici is likely to ensue after the war decided the company to look around for a more commodious establishment, and only a few months ago an opportunity presented itself by reason of the fact that the well-known firm of coachbuilders' Starey's and Woolley's, Ltd., ,decided to diminish very considerably its activities. This rendered vacant an admirable building in Parliament Street, which, as a glance at the map will show, besides being centrally disposed within the city, is also handily placed for access to road users who are passing through either on the Birmingham-Lincoln road or from London to York. At present the new prenaises have a frontage of 48 ft., a width throughout most of the length of 64 ft., and a total length of 240 ft. There are five floors, of which at the moment only the ground and first floors are being utilized. A lift connects all the floors, and there is access to .Lincoln Road at the rear from the first floor, which is on a level with that road. In case of any need for expansion, an option on adjoining premises is, we understand, held, and if this be exercised, more than double the capacity will be available.
The frontage, both as regards the ground and first floors, is utilized as showrooms and offices. Entering by a wide, high gateway, one emerges upon a sort
of central court. This is 24 ft. wide and about 180 ft long. It is open right away to the glazed roof, and, as may be realized, is amply lighted. It offers, in itself, very considerable accommodation as a garage.
Right and left of this court are what were in older days the horse boxes. On the right the walls have been removed, except for pillars here and there necessary to maintain the superstructure. All the interior fittings have been taken down, and we have here in consequence a second space as large as the court, and equally suitable for the accommodation of all types of vehicles. On the left it is proposed, so soon as labour limitLions will permit, to carry out the same
stmctural alterations. The whole of this 70,000 sq. ft. of floor space will then be available as a garage. It is proposed to use the portions at the side for storing cam, that in the centre being available for vehicles run in either for occasional adjustments or for short periods at irregular intervals. At the end of the court farthest from the entrance is a coveredin portion 30 ft. by 24 ft., and on the occasion of our visit this was occupied by two Government-owned Titan tractors, which were in for adjustments.
On the first floor, and to the left as one stands with
one's back to the main entrance, the machine shop is situated. Here is a complete equipment of machine tools., including three lathes, three drilling machines; slotting machines, shaping machines, grinders, etc., a large supply of raw materials, retreading apparatus for pneumatic tyres, and a vulcanizing set--one of the most completely-equipped shops for the Purpose that we recollect yet to have seen. At right angles to this, and running across the whole width of the premises at the back end, is the repair shop. This opens out on to Lincoln Road at the back, so that every facility for running in and out, making tests, and so on, is available. All the usual equipment of a repair shop is to be found, and we noticed the extensive use of handy, wheeled trolleys. • The remainder of the floor—that portion which is on the right as one•looks toward Lincoln Road—is at the moment occupied by taxicabs the owners of which are on active service. It is proposed, as soon as con' venient, to convert the whole of this portion into an overhaul and repair depot. Down the whole of the side from which light enters it is proposed to run a line of benches, each being fitted with a vice and other equipment, In the event of the floors above being taken, they will undoubtedly be set apart, pastly as showrooms, and also for the renovation and equipment of bodywork. At the time of our visit the neW tenants had not long been in occupation, so that full equipment was not to be expected. Arrangements are being made; however, to instal the usual underground petrol tank with pump and accessories, and we understand that the tyre press is to be brought over from the Trent Street depot, which will be the main commercial-vehicle garage.
In addition to being the agents for Dennis vehicles, Atkey and Co., Ltd., also hold the same relations with the Austin Co., with Willys-Overland, Ltd., whose Garfords they sell, and also with the Trafford Co. They have not neglected the more recent development of the commercial motor, having already equipped many vehicles with gas containers and fittings, and as regards the agrimotor side, Mr. Atkey is, of course, as is well known, the supervisor for the district under the Government scheme. He is also the agent for the Overtime tractor, the Titan tractor, and for the Trafford-Ford tractor attachment. In regard to our illustrations, it should be pointed ont that the photographs were taken in the middle of the day, when nearly all the commercial motor tenants of the garage were employed elsewheiie.