International Women’s Day: Protyre Autocare Managers Helping Female Motorists Combat ‘Garage Anxiety’

Two garage managers are doing their bit to help Sheffield’s female motorists combat the fear of being misled or oversold to when taking their vehicles in for repairs.

Ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day (March 8), Mandy Mosley and Ellie Holmes are raising awareness of their efforts to tackle ‘Garage Anxiety’, where customers fear being overcharged or sold unnecessary repairs when taking their vehicle to a garage.

The pair, who work for national automotive services retailer Protyre Autocare, explained how their female customers can often be nervous asking questions in a traditionally male-dominated environment – and how the simple act of seeing a friendly female face puts them at ease.

The duo also lifted the lid on the challenges of dealing with outdated perceptions of women’s knowledge and experience in an automotive role, and how the company has supported their career ambitions.

The business regularly campaigns to tackle Garage Anxiety as part of its efforts to be approachable and inclusive for all its customers – both male and female.

Ellie, 25, who is assistant manager at Protyre Autocare’s Sharrow Vale centre, started out as an admin assistant and has already worked her way up to assistant manager after two years with the business.

“One of the best things about the job is making other women feel comfortable when they come into the garage. A lot come in looking nervous about asking questions and when they see a female face they relax. Having that female presence really helps and it’s a role I’m happy to have,” she said.

“Protyre is a company which will help you further your career – you can fit into it really easily and do really well, and it’s a really nice workforce.

“This was my first role in the automotive sector after working in admin roles. I’d absolutely like to be a manager in the future – the rest of the team are helping me understand the mechanical side of the job which means I can explain things to the customers much more easily.”

Mandy, 59, is centre manager at Protyre Autocare’s Chapeltown centre, a role she has held for the last seven years.

She has worked there for 20 years, previously holding accounts and mobile retail roles for the business formerly known as Hawleys Tyres, which joined Protyre Autocare in 2015.

The branch has won three awards on her watch, including one for being the best-performing centre in the Protyre Autocare network.

Mandy said: “I totally agree with Ellie’s outlook on our female customers. A lot feel more comfortable talking to a woman and 90 per cent of my customers are repeat customers.

“We also have women technicians in our team, so it’s a really positive environment for females. I pride myself on being honest – it’s all about ‘show and tell’ and just advising customers on what they need, rather than trying to oversell to them or rip them off.

“It’s definitely a good career for women. There are times when men come into the garage, see me and ask for one of the men to come and answer a question about their car. They can be quite surprised when they realise I know the answer!”

Mandy said the role had developed quickly from one she admitted she wasn’t initially keen on.

“To be honest, when I first came here I never wanted to take the job! I wasn’t used to being on the shop floor, but our area manager said he really wanted me here, as I’d be ideal for the role,” she added.

“I’m glad I did, because I absolutely love it. I’m a very customer-focused person and take real pride in my work. My customers and my phoneline are my bread and butter.”

Protyre Autocare, which has a network of 184 centres around the UK, has a range of free articles on its website to help motorists with the day-to-day maintenance of their vehicles.