simon shield cars 30th anniversary eadt feature
We Made the Papers: Simon Shield Cars Celebrates 30 Years in the East Anglian Daily Times
This morning, something rather wonderful happened. We opened the East Anglian Daily Times and found ourselves on page three — a full feature on Simon Shield Cars and our 30th anniversary. If you’ll forgive us a moment of pride, we’d like to share it with you.
The story was written by journalist Abygail Fossett, and it captures something we’ve always believed but rarely said out loud: that running a small, independent, family dealership is about far more than selling cars. It’s about being part of a community. It’s about being a neighbour.
Thirty Years This April - Simon Shield Cars
Simon and I opened Simon Shield Cars in April 1996. There were no grand plans, no investor backing, no franchise name above the door. Just the two of us, a genuine love of cars, and the belief that if we treated people honestly and well, Suffolk would give us a chance.
Three decades on, we’re still here. Still family-run. Still handpicking every single car that comes onto the forecourt. Still making sure nobody ever feels pressured to buy.
The world around us has changed enormously. We’ve seen nine Prime Ministers, ten managers of Ipswich Town, and a baby girl who is now at university. We’ve gone from paper adverts in the East Anglian to a fully digital world. Cars have become increasingly techie and software-based, and we’re now buying and selling hybrids and electric vehicles alongside our traditional family cars and SUVs.
What hasn’t changed is the thing that matters most.
We’re Helping Our Neighbours Find a Vehicle They Can Rely On
The EADT feature includes a quote from Simon that we think sums us up better than anything we’ve ever written on a website or an advert:
“In a world of call centres and online-only sales, we believe people still value talking to the experts who hand-picked the car they are buying. We aren’t just selling a product; we’re helping our neighbours find a vehicle they can rely on.”
That’s it. That’s the whole business, in two sentences.
Every car on our forecourt has been personally chosen by Simon. He inspects every vehicle before it goes for a warranty inspection or any further work. If it doesn’t meet his standard, it doesn’t come onto the forecourt. It’s a simple rule, and it’s the reason our customers trust us.
From Suffolk — and Far Beyond
One of the details from the EADT piece that made us smile was the mention of a young man who flew in from Tenerife last week, having spotted a car on our website that he thought would be perfect for his summer road trip around Europe. He came all the way to Great Bricett, Ipswich, took one look, and drove it away.
That’s the thing about doing things properly , word travels. Our customers are both local and far afield, and every single one of them deserves the same experience: honest advice, a quality car, and no pressure whatsoever.Thank You, Suffolk.
Seeing our story in the East Anglian Daily Times was one of the proudest moments in thirty years of business. But the real pride isn’t in the coverage - it’s in the reason for it. Three decades of customers who trusted us. Families who came back again and again. People who sent their children to us for their first car.
We wouldn’t be here without every single one of you.
And if you’ve ever bought a car from us, or if you’re thinking about it for the first time - thank you. From Simon, from me, and from the family that has poured everything into this little dealership on the Suffolk lanes for thirty years.
With love and gratitude
Simon & Caroline Shield
Simon Shield Cars ,Great Bricett, Ipswich, Suffolk