A POPULAR businessman is being remembered by his son and staff 50 years after his firm was founded.
Graham Richardson established Richardsons bodyshop in Grange Way, Colchester, in 1966.
It is now the town’s longest established bodyshop in operation in Colchester and its surrounding area.
Graham, who was very involved in the community, died in 2014 but his son Mark has continued to run the business.
The 50-year milestone was celebrated on Friday when Mark was surprised by staff and an advertorial in the Gazette.
Mark, 44, said: “I wasn’t expected to be confronted by that when I came out of the workshop!”
Mark said the secret to the business’s longevity was the mixture of customer service it offers and quality of repairs.
“Sometimes when we should say no, we say yes, but we try to help,” he said.
The business has also diversified to include a service centre and spray painting of kitchen surfaces to help it stay successful.
Mark began his career at Richardsons around 30 years ago, at first working within the accident repair workshop.
Graham was at one time president of The Rotary Club of Mersea Island.
He died aged 72 after a short illness.
