Falles Motor Group launches exhibition to celebrate its 90th anniversary

Thursday 28 April 2016

One of Jersey’s oldest motoring businesses is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.

Family-owned Falles Motor Group (Falles), which first started trading in 1926, operates a number of businesses in the Channel Islands, currently employing around 50 people.

To help mark the anniversary, Falles has invited Islanders to send in any photographs, images or press articles they may have from the last 90 years, which connects them in some way to the company.

Company Chairman Helier Falle said: "I am immensely proud that Falles has reached this milestone in its 90 year history, especially when so many other local family owned companies have disappeared or merged with bigger organisations over the years. As an independent family owned company, we have never lost the personal connection we share with the business, which reflects in the level of care and attention we give to each and every customer that comes through our doors.

"We hope the submissions will result in a wonderful exhibition of photos, images and articles, which will be available for everyone to come and view throughout our 90^th year at Bagot Road Garage in St Saviour. The public will be more than welcome to come in and look at the photos and anyone who submits something will receive one of our 90^th anniversary goodie bags, as a thank you for taking part."

Helier Falle’s grandfather, JPV “Jack” Falle started ‘Falle’s Motor & Engineering Works’ in 1926 from small workshop premises in Norcott Road, St. Saviour. After a brief closure during the German occupation, Falles started expanding with the arrival of Helier’s father, John Falle, in 1952. Within ten years the newly formed ‘Falles Hire Cars’ had a fleet of between 400 to 500 hire cars, operating out of premises from Bagot Road and Falles Airport Garage in St. Brelade. At its peak the company employed over 150 permanent and part-time staff during the tourism season.

Falles sold its hire car division in 2003 as a result of falling visitor numbers and refocused its attention on improving the profitability of its existing businesses.

"I am very proud of the dedicated and loyal team of people who work for the company, many of whom have been with us for 10, 20 and even 30 plus years. We have always been a company who cares about our customers, the service we offer and our staff. It is this kind of ethos that makes the business what it is today," added Mr Falle.

Today the company is the official dealer for Renault, Dacia, Subaru and Great Wall, all of which are housed at the Bagot Road Garage premises. The business operates Falles Van Hire and ‘Falles Service Station’ on Longueville Road and ‘Falles Airport Garage’ in St. Brelade, which is also home to Falles Accident Repair Centre. The business also operates a further two petrol station premises in Guernsey, employing 11 members of staff.

Please send your photos, images or articles in digital or print format to either Helier Falle or Craig Seager at Falles Motor Group, Bagot Road, St. Saviour, JE1 1BP or email helier.falle@falles.je or craig.seager@falles.je.