Try as I might, I cannot think of another car venue with a state-of-the-art recording studio attached.
But that sums up the eclectic philosophy of Niall Holden, who owns the Hampshire-based Winchester Auto Barn and Drivers’ Club.
“I know nobody is going to come and write the next hit single, eat lunch with a glass of Bâtard-Montrachet and buy a vintage Merc all in the same afternoon,” laughs Niall.
“But I like the idea of ticking the ‘all things to all men’ box.”
An eclectic mixture of classic cars for sale inside Winchester Auto Barn and Drivers’ Club
He has certainly succeeded there.
Niall’s business incorporates a seven-ramp workshop, a classic-car dealership and an extensive storage facility, plus a café and dining area, 1930s-style licensed bar and live event space for up to 200 people – and the studio, of course.
The site had been served by a garage and filling station (the name now given to the Auto Barn’s café) since WW2, but when Niall purchased it in 2016 he created a new premises – although with its artfully integrated Victorian and Edwardian reclaimed tiles and bricks (and even the bar itself), you’d believe you were in an upmarket historic building.
Vintage tractors add a splash of rural colour to Winchester Auto Barn in Sutton Scotney, Hampshire
The showroom occupies the front half of this space, and when we visited there were at least a dozen cars for sale, including a 1962 Bentley S2 Continental, a Triumph TR4A, a near-concours MGB GT and Niall’s own, rare Mercedes-Benz 280SE Convertible and ex-Rod Stewart Lamborghini Muira SV.
“The dealership was originally geared towards old Land-Rover models,” Niall says, “but now I only buy classic cars I like – I’m a terrible car dealer!”
At the other end of the building is the dining area and event space.
“The Fleetwood Collective performed there recently,” says Niall, “and Big Horizon [made up of touring members of ELO].”
Winchester Auto Barn’s recording studio and event space give a musical vibe – and add an extra dimension to the venue
The workshop is a hive of mid-week activity.
“We look after everything from classics to moderns,” Niall explains. “We have a dedicated ramp for classics, and Dave Jolleys is our classic car specialist.
“We tend to focus on Mercedes-Benz – the Auto Barn is an approved independent service agent – but we will deal with anything; we had a Messerschmitt in recently, plus a Triumph TR7 and an Audi quattro.”
Classic cars have a dedicated ramp at Auto Barn Winchester’s workshop, occupied here by a late-model Bertone X1/9
While it’s clear that the business is thriving, you do wonder how long it will take Niall to recoup his investment, given the extraordinary sums ploughed in to the facility.
“I don’t like to do anything by half measures,” he admits. “I haven’t scrimped on anything, really. It went wildly over budget and wildly over schedule, but I didn’t want any regrets – to be honest, you could say it was more of a vanity project and not driven by commercial reality.”
That would also explain why Niall’s classic-car storage facility – Winchester Auto Farm – adheres to the same no-expense-spared ethos as the rest of the business.
Sited near Alresford, 20 minutes from the Auto Barn, the Auto Farm is enclosed within a secure perimeter fence and, as you’d expect, is equipped with 24/7 CCTV security and alarms.
A Triumph TR4A is for sale alongside cakes, coffee and much more
Inside, there’s capacity for storing 110 cars, plus a further 80 spaces for boats, caravans and motorhomes outside.
VIP members are offered the use of a lounge area, meeting room, and modern kitchen and shower facilities.
In addition, the Auto Farm offers a valet and detailing service, and can look after servicing and MoTs in the workshops at the main facility.
“The building used to be owned by Vitacress,” Niall explains. “It was ideal for what we needed, with stainless-steel floors and full insulation.
“We now store everything there, from Aston Valkyries to Ferrari F40s.
“We also have a ‘drop and swap’ service for our VIP Drivers’ Club members, where cars are prepared in readiness for owners to collect them.”
Images: Jack Harrison
The knowledge
- Name Winchester Auto Barn & Drivers’ Club
- Address Sutton Scotney, Winchester, Hants SO21 3NS
- Specialism One-stop workshop, car sales, storage facility and events venue
- Staff 17
- Prices VIP storage £225/mo; workshop £80/hr
- Tel 01962 677776
- Web winchesterautobarn.com
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