- Hagerty partners with Great Northern Classics – a specialist hub for the classic vehicle industry due to open Summer 2023
- Based at the former Victoria Ironworks foundry in Derby, previously the Rolls Royce Heritage Centre, Great Northern Classics presents a new automotive destination in the East Midlands
- Apprenticeships will be at the heart of the site, with resident businesses contributing to a not-for-profit training school that promises to hone the skills of numerous apprentices each year
- Hagerty becomes the preferred insurance partner for Great Northern Classics, with a host of branded areas on-site, and a number of planned events and member incentives
Northamptonshire: 23rd November 2022
Hagerty International announces a new partnership with Great Northern Classics, a specialist hub for the classic vehicle industry, providing workshops for businesses in the sector as well as presenting an exciting calendar of enthusiast-led events, creating a brand-new UK automotive destination.
Great Northern Classics is based at the former Victoria Ironworks foundry in Derby, which until recently served as the Rolls Royce Heritage Centre. The scale of the Victoria Ironworks site allows Great Northern Classics to operate as an efficient working hub while serving as a destination attraction at the same time.
Due to open in Summer 2023, the site will bring together an estimated 30 specialist restoration and fabrication companies, with a visitor centre and event space that will cater to the curious as much as customers – with attractions including a full-size wire frame of Thrust SSC.
Shaun Matthews, founder of Great Northern Classics, inspired by his own career journey, has placed apprenticeships at the heart of the site, with resident businesses contributing to a not-for-profit training school that promises to hone the skills of numerous apprentices each year. Great Northern Classics aims to provide a base for an estimated 120 jobs both skilled and apprenticeships.
One of the main attractions at the restored site will be a new mezzanine providing an events space, café and gallery viewing for visitors – as each of the sites’ specialist workshops will be open plan, allowing visitors to watch craftspeople at work. Indoor, secure vehicle storage will also be offered, as will an outdoor zone that is intended for car club meetings. This will be a site created for leisure activities to blend seamlessly, and without interruption, with working businesses.
As a part of the new agreement Hagerty will become the preferred insurance partner for Great Northern Classics, with a host of branded areas on-site to complement the partnership. Hagerty flags will be flying at the entrance to the site, and further Hagerty branding will feature along the main ‘pit lane’ roadway throughout the site. Hagerty will also host a number of Cars and Coffee meets and free parking will be available to Hagerty members whenever they choose to visit. Editorial and media content will also be shared mutually between both brands
Speaking of the partnership Mark Roper, Managing Director for Hagerty International, said “Hagerty is committed to the preservation of the global enthusiast vehicle industry, ensuring it can be enjoyed by generations to come. The aim of Great Northern Classics, in creating new jobs and apprenticeships, is vital for the longevity of our industry, whilst also providing a brand-new destination for enthusiasts to gather. I am delighted to announce our partnership with this exciting new development for UK car culture and look forward to the official opening in the Summer of next year.”
Shaun Matthews, founder of Great Northern Classics added “We are proud to welcome Hagerty as a partner as we work towards our official opening next Summer.
Both brands share a common aim to protect and champion the classic car industry and together we can create a stunning enthusiast destination and working hub in the heart of Derby. Great Northern Classics brings new life to the former Rolls-Royce site and promises to bring a number of specialist businesses to the area, creating new jobs and apprenticeships and contributing to the continued success of the UK classic car industry.”
Great Northern Classics opens in Summer 2023, and specialist work space is now available for lease. 9 workspaces and 16 specialist workshop are available along with an enclosed paint unit, a vehicle preparation and detailing unit and a large showroom. A Phase 2 launch of units is due in 2024.
ENDS
Editors Notes
Based in Traverse City, Michigan, Hagerty’s purpose is to save driving and car culture for future generations and its mission is to build a global business to fund that purpose. Hagerty is an automotive enthusiast brand offering integrated membership products and programs as well as a specialty insurance provider focused on the global automotive enthusiast market. Hagerty is home to Hagerty Marketplace, Hagerty Drivers Club®, Hagerty Drivers Club magazine, Hagerty Drivers Foundation, Hagerty DriveShare™, Hagerty Valuation Tools®, Hagerty Media, MotorsportReg, Hagerty Garage + Social®, The Amelia, the Detroit Concours d’Elegance, the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, the California Mille, Motorlux, RADwood, Broad Arrow Group and more. For more information on Hagerty please visit www.hagerty.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
For more information, call 0333 323 0989 or visit www.hagertyinsurance.co.ukMedia enquiries: media@tonic-collective.com