A lifelong passion that has put Appleyard on road to success

The counter-cultural cinema hit of 1969 had made stars not just of Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda, but of the motorbikes them-selves.

Today, despite the four decades of social change, economic crises and rising oil prices which have followed, the Western world is still in love with bikes and the freedom of the open road.

The upshot is that Mr Appleyard’s business has grown steadily as he capitalised on his lifelong passion.

Today the firm, Colin Appleyard Cars and Motorcycles, is a well-known enterprise with six motorcycle and car dealerships and a deal has just been completed for the seventh.

“I’ve been in the industry all my life,” said Mr Appleyard, who at the age of 75 is now the company’s chairman.

“I’ve always had a passion for motorcycles.

“It’s my hobby, not just my job – but I work hard too.”

He started in the industry 60 years ago as an apprentice with Alan Jefferies Motorcycles of Shipley, earning the princely sum of £1 7s 6d – or £1.38 per week.

After working his way up to become sales director, he decided that after 19 years it was time for a change – so he took the plunge.

“The first few months were hectic. We had to get the premises converted, organise the franchises and get some quality used bikes. We got there in the end, though,” he said.

Even his wife, Peggy, joined in. One of the best motorcycle valets in the business, according to Mr Appleyard, she donned her marigolds and helped prepare the business to open.

The firm quickly outgrew its first home and moved to Wellington Road in Keighley, where it has remained since. On the back of successfully selling Suzuki motorcycles, the Japanese manufacturer asked Mr Appleyard to launch its cars – and on a cold March evening in 1979, Colin Appleyard Cars officially became Suzuki’s first UK car franchise. Eight new vehicles were delivered specially for the occasion, and each one sold on the night.

Two years later Mr Appleyard bought a stock of Beamish motorcycles and spares and exported them to Japan. The achievement was covered by Angela Rippon on the news under the headline ‘Selling coals to Newcastle’.

Today the company, which turns over just over £28m, has 120 staff and runs four car showrooms, in Huddersfield, Shipley, Keighley and Ashton-under-Lyne, near Stockport.

The firm has recently bought another site, a former Honda showroom, in Ashton, which is due to open in August. The motorbike dealerships are based in Keighley and Leeds.

“We’ve always sold decent products and I try to make customers into friends – it’s not just about making a sale,” said Mr Appleyard.

“I’ve been lucky to have great support from my family and loyal staff – some of them have been with me more than 20 years.

“Building a business this size from nothing is my proudest achievement. I’m from a working-class background – it didn’t fall into my lap.

“I suppose if there’s one thing I would have done differently, I’d have had more jobs.

“I’ve only had two – Allan Jefferies and my own company. I should have left the first one ten years earlier and got about a bit more.”

The day-to-day running of the company is now in the hands of son Robin, who is managing director – but Mr Appleyard has no intention of retiring yet.

He retains a keen interest in motorsport and has served on a number of the sport’s governing bodies over the years, as well as guiding Robin through a successful racing career as a MotoGP rider and winner of five British championships.

He also still has plans for the business: “I want to keep it growing steadily.

“You can’t stand still if you want to be successful – you either move forward or fall back. You have to keep having ideas, even if not all of them work.

“If I can come up with ten and seven of them go somewhere, I’m happy.

“I’m still ambitious and I’d like to think that I’ve a legacy to leave.”

‘Father of the franchise’

To celebrate Suzuki’s 25th anniversary, Mr Appleyard was invited to Japan. He is affectionately known as ‘Father of the Franchise’ by the Japanese directors.

Team Colin Appleyard/Macadam Racing competes each year in the British Superbike Championship; staff members boast 19 track and off-road British championship titles.

The first motorcycle shop was due to launch on January 1, 1971 but Colin Appleyard was so keen to get going he opened the doors on December 28, 1970.