Queen’s Jaguar dealer R A Creamer to close !

[Nickleback]

Sad news as the London Jaguar dealership used by the royal family and run by Sir William Lyon's grandson decides to close down by end of 2016.

Quote:
"Jaguar dealer to the Queen RA Creamer is giving up the franchise next month and handing back its two Royal Warrants after 40 years.

The dealership, based in a mews in Kensington notified its customers that it had made the decision to close and not deliver the investment required by JLR.

“This decision has not been taken lightly as our history here is a long and proud one. But the future course of this business is now challenged in a way we feel that we cannot sustain the current business model.

“Nor can we rationalise the level of investment required to meet the requisite standards to remain a Jaguar main dealer,” said managing director Michael Quinn in a note to his customers.

“We will continue to operate outside the Jaguar network as an independent garage for a period. It is unlikely to be beyond the end of 2016 and could well be earlier than that,” Quinn was quoted in the Daily Mail.

Quinn, who has been with the company for 27 years, is patron of the Jaguar Heritage Trust and grandson of Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar Cars.

The company is the holder of Royal Warrants, awarded by the Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales, for services to the Royal Family.

Jaguar Land Rover under Tata has been pushing ahead with the restructuring of the two networks in the UK, looking for common ownership of the two brands in individual territories.

Jaguar said its model range was bigger than before and it was asking dealers to upgrade their premises.

“Over the last two years Jaguar has totally overhauled its car range with the launch of class-leading new models like the XE sports saloon, XF executive saloon, F-TYPE sports car and the recently revealed F-PACE performance crossover.

“Jaguar sales are increasing as a result and we are asking all authorised Jaguar centres to upgrade their facilities to cope with increased customer interest,” Jaguar said in a statement."

[PeterCrespin]

Fairly old news by modern standards? I bought the only 6.0L XJ12 radiator in the Jag spares network from them. The Queen no longer had her Daimler Double Six so they were ready go sell.

[Durango2k]

So the Queen is no ordinary customer when it comes to Jag spares, then ?

Carsten (we got rid of our royal family 100 yrs ago, so its easier to buy, say, Maybach spares...)

[chrisfell]

(we got rid of our royal family 100 yrs ago...)

Er.... isn't that where our royal family came from?

[Durango2k]

Yes, the Hannover line.

But we got rid of the Kaiser in 1918. What then happened a few years later was of course evil as could be.

Carsten

[Nickleback]

Fairly old news by modern standards? I bought the only 6.0L XJ12 radiator in the Jag spares network from them. The Queen no longer had her Daimler Double Six so they were ready go sell.

True, but when the site is worth multi million pounds for developement, you could'nt make that profit from a small site selling Jaguars at RRP, but it's still landmark business disappearing, I read that even George Best bought one of his etype's here !

[V12 Epyte]

I recall reading some time ago, that the properties had been left in trust to the employee's

[288gto]

This has been on the cards for a while. A similar local family Jaguar dealership Royles in Wilmslow have relinquished their dealership after many years and now just specialise in used prestige vehicles.

With regards to RA Creamer, they seem to be having a clear out of old stock with over 360 items including E type stuff on their E bay site at the moment.

Simon

[richard btype]

What a great shame when a company such as this decides to stop trading, the history in so many forms and quirky nature of its location should be more than enough to by pass such a decision. Just like some of Europe's great motor racing circuits that have soul, history and charisma all sacrificed to the empty Tilke concrete circuits.

[Simon P]

Jaguar Land Rover under Tata has been pushing ahead with the restructuring of the two networks in the UK, looking for common ownership of the two brands in individual territories.

Hence the decision to lump classic Jaguars and Land Rovers/Range Rovers together in the Tax Exempt Classics car park at the Goodwood Revival!

[cactusman]

Yes. In the paper today. Very sad but I guess not surprising given the premium location. Lots of stuff on ebay incl some e type bits. i have (hopefully) secured some carb filters and two track rod ends...
There are five of those hens teeth boot floor runners too. Part No BD20291/5. £38 each. Original Jaguar parts not repro's Some on here will need them. Lets hope who ever buys them does not stick 'em back on ebay later at an inflated price!