BODYSHOPPROFILE
A Shore thing in Cannock Prestige bodyshop thrives on ‘only-perfect-will-do’ mindset
Cannock-based Shorade Accident Repair Centre is an independent bodyshop and second-generation family-owned business that has come a long way since it first opened in 1968 in an old coach house behind the local pub. A double-garage site came next, followed by two small industrial units, before Shorade moved into its current facility, which by any bodyshop standards can be described as “luxurious”. Over 40,000 sqft including a 25,000 sqft main bodyshop, a separate aluminium and carbon fibre workshop, and a shiny reception showroom that would be the envy of many a small car dealership. Today, Shorade works almost exclusively with premium brands – think McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, 48 BODYSHOP MARCH2020
Roll-Royce and Lamborghini, among others – and its company culture is driven by the “only-perfect-will-do” ethos of owner Steve Shore. “It’s not what we do but the way that we do it that sets us apart,” Shore, 50, told bodyshop. “We have a culture of doing things right. There’s no grey area, nobody here says ‘it’ll do’. My rule is simple – it’s either right or it’s wrong. I tell my guys if you’re questioning whether a colour is right on a panel, then it’s probably not. So do it again and make sure it is right.” Shore has been around vehicles his entire life. “I smashed my first car at 18 months old. My mum had jumped out to get her house keys and left the engine running. I
climbed over the front seat and managed to shift the steering-column gear stick into reverse. It went backwards down the drive, over the road and into the garage of the house opposite. Smashed the car to bits and took the front off the house.” From that early baptism of fire in the trade and through regular childhood visits to dad Cliff’s bodyshop, Shore developed a genuine passion for repairing cars which led to his first role sweeping the workshop floor before he trained as a panel beater. In 1994, he took over the role of bodyshop manager while his father looked after front-of-house and finances. The insurance driven business went from
