About Us
Gates Ford New and Used Car Dealers: Company Heritage
The Gates family have been in the motor trade since 1920. Over the years we have built a reputation for service and quality that is second to none. Since the birth of the company in 1920 we have seen many changes. The timeline below shows some of the landmarks in our history.
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1920: Frank Gates father, Cornelius Gates helped him make a start in the fledgling motor industry from premises in High Road, Woodford. It was from here that the Ford Main dealer group expanded. |
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1927: A new showroom and workshops open in High Road, Woodford. |
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1938: Saw the opening on new workshops in Chigwell. |
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1957: Gates take over and re-open premises in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton and open as Gates of Walthamstow. |
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1958: A new dealership, Gates of Epping, commences business in Epping High Street. |
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1959: Gates open an impressive new dealership in Edinburgh Way, Harlow. |
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1960: Further workshops and parts department open in High Road, Woodford. |
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1964: In this year, Gates took over and re-opened premises at Station Road, Letchworth. Gates of Letchworth also included an agricultural division, Gates Tractors, in nearby Baldock. |
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1967: Gates of Stortford opens in London Road, Bishops Stortford. |
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1970: Saw the opening of Gates of Hitchin in Bancroft, Hitchin. |
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1979: A commercial vehicle division commences business with the opening of new premises as Gates of Waltham Abbey. |
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1992: Gates of Bishop’s Stortford relocates to a larger site on Stansted Road, Bishop’s Stortford. |
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1994: Gates of Epping move into a larger, much improved dealership in High Street, Epping. |
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1995: Saw the sale of premises and businesses in Woodford, Chigwell, Walthamstow, Waltham Abbey, Letchworth, Baldock and Hitchin to take the company back into private ownership during 1996. |
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1997: Gates move in to Hertford with a takeover of an existing dealership, and set about making dramatic improvements. |
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2000: Another dealership is added to the group with the opening of Gates of Waltham Cross in Britannia Road. |
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2001: Gates unveil the totally re-developed showroom at Gates of Hertford. |
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2002: Saw the takeover of premises in Danestrete and Gunnelswood Road, Stevenage and the re-purchasing of premises in Station Road, Letchworth. |
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2003: A new state of the art showroom opens on Arlington Business Park, Gunneslwood Road, Stevenage. The new dealership took the standard of the modern showroom to a new level and illustrated further, the ambition of the Gates family. Major refurbishment of existing premises in Gunnelswood Road also takes place. |
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2004: Gates open a new branch in Chelmsford Road Great Dunmow with full facilities |
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2004: Gates Trade Car Sales open in Gunnelswood Road, Stevenage alongside new improved accident repair centre facilities. |
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2005: 5 dealerships undergo major refurbishment- Gates of Harlow, Stortford, Epping, Waltham Cross and Letchworth. |
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2010: Gates celebrate their 90 year anniversary. |
