Alex F Noble and Son, the Midlothian car dealership with Nissan and Subaru/Isuzu outlets located at Straiton and Penicuik, is celebrating 80 years of business.

The family-owned business has 80 employees and puts the longevity of its business partly down to its continuity of ownership and proud family heritage.

To celebrate, the business is offering existing customers a £500 contribution towards the purchase of a new Nissan model bought before the end of September. In addition, their names will also be entered into a prize draw to win an all-expenses paid overnight stay for two at the Fairmont Hotel at St Andrews.

Back in 1932, Alex F Noble laid the foundations for his automotive business when he left an engineering job in Peebles to establish his own business, at Milton Bridge near Penicuik.

Combining petrol retailing with vehicle sales and repairs, the company began life representing the Austin brand.

Alex’s son William joined the business in 1956 and the family dynasty was maintained in the late 1970s when, at aged 16, William’s three sons, David, Colin and Michael became third-generation employees of the company bearing their name, and when their father retired in 1988, the brothers took over the running of the business.

The seeds of Alex F Noble’s current identity were sown in 1996, when the company acquired the Subaru and Isuzu franchise.

By the early noughties, Alex F Noble had sold its original Milton Bridge site and relocated to a purpose-built 15,500sq ft headquarters at Straiton by Loanhead.

Now in its 80th anniversary year, the company founded by Alex F Noble has become a cornerstone of the Midlothian community, as well as being a celebrated part of the Nissan, Subaru and Isuzu dealer networks.