George celebrates 80th birthday still dedicated to motor trade

West End Garage Škoda’s George Lockhart is marking his 80th birthday and remains a true stalwart of the industry, serving the communities of Edinburgh, Dunfermline, and Stirling.

From his humble beginnings at Firrhill Service Station in Colinton Mains, Edinburgh, George has dedicated his entire professional life to the automotive world.

Born on January 13, 1944, George started in the motor trade at the age of 19, joining his father's car service business.

In 1978, at the age of 34, he made a significant career move by leaving his father's business to join Belmont Garages, where he spent a decade contributing to the growth and success of the company.

This journey continued when he joined The John Martin Group in 1988, followed by tenures at the Alex F Noble Group and Abercromby Motor Group, selling Renault vehicles until 1997.

Between 1997 and 2012 George was an integral part of Graeme P Chatham, making significant contributions to the Škoda site at Abbeyhill. His dedication and passion for the automotive industry now plays a pivotal role in the success and growth of West End Garage Škoda, which took over the Chatham sites in 2012.

Throughout his career, George has maintained a love for cars. His favourite vehicle, the 1974 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, holds a special place in his heart and he fondly recalls driving it up the M1 from the Aston Martin factory, When it comes to Škoda, George's passion is evident in his admiration for the MK1 Octavia vRS and the Fabia vRS. 

As George celebrates his 80th birthday, the question of retirement or slowing down is met with a resounding response: "I wouldn't be here if I didn't enjoy it. I love my job and the buzz of meeting new customers and seeing them happy with their new purchase."