A MOTORCYCLE business that was an institution for 48 years has ceased trading.

Anvil Motorcycles was opened over Easter 1970 by Mick Druitt and Bill Dean.

They had met while working at Weymouth Motorcycles during the 1960s.

Mr Dean approached the blacksmiths at Garston Hill, Chickerell, and agreed to rent part of his shed.

They took space at the site alongside the undertake and coffin-maker Goodwin and Quartermaine.

Bill’s son Tony started working at Anvil at the age of 14, after school at weekends, and Mr Druitt’s son Barry joined at the age of 18 in 1971.

Tony’s daughter Becky Dean said: “Anvil’s speciality during the 70s was building and refurbishing Lambretta scooters, which was a huge success, selling them for £59 each.

“In 1971, Anvil took on a Suzuki agency and after just a few years took over more and more of the premises including the former undertakers in the late 70s.”

Tony Dean was highly known at the time as a motorcycle trial rider, winning many events in the local area.

In 1974, Barry’s brother in law Rob Record joined the company to help run the office and join the sales team.

The motorcycle business boomed in the late 1970s and 80s. During that period, it employed 10 staff and sold more than 400 new bikes a year, plus many second hand.

Both families enjoyed taking part in Weymouth’s carnivals by entering a float, always competing to have the loudest music.

In 1988, the workshops were expanded because of high demand and the company started selling second hand cars.

In 1990, Tony, Barry and Rob bought the business from Bill and Mick so the founders could retire – although they continued working for another five years.

Becky said: “In 2000, sales of motorcycles declined countrywide so Anvil started selling American imports and became a Kymco agency.

However, trade continued to reduce over the next 18 years and Anvil let out parts of its buildings.

“Anvil always had very loyal customers and would always have a very busy MOT department,” said Becky.

“So after 48 years the land where Anvil sits has now been sold to be replaced with family homes and Tony, Barry and Rob will have a well-earned retirement. Some would say it’s the end of an era.

“They would like to thank and say goodbye to their extremely loyal customers over the years.”

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