Our Story

A Century of Motoring Heritage in Baildon

Buying a car should be about trust, honesty and building lasting relationships. Our story is about far more than vehicles — it’s about people, family, community and a site that has been at the heart of motoring in Baildon for almost 100 years.

Established: 1996
On this site: Almost 100 Years
Family customers: 3 Generations

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More Than a Car Dealership

At Hollins Hill Cars, we believe buying a car should be about trust, honesty and building lasting relationships. While we’re proud of the quality used cars we sell today, our story is about far more than vehicles.

Unlike many used car dealerships, our history stretches back long before Hollins Hill Cars was established. For generations, motorists have visited this very location for fuel, servicing, repairs and vehicle sales. Historic photographs displayed throughout our showroom tell the remarkable story of how the site has evolved over the decades — from the old petrol station and early workshops through to the modern dealership you see today.

We’re incredibly proud to continue that tradition.

Hollins Hill Cars — buyers and sellers of quality cars, established 1996

Established in 1996. Built on Experience.

Hollins Hill Cars was founded in April 1996 by Colin Jones and Ralph Sissons, two highly respected figures within the Yorkshire motor industry.

Both men had already spent decades building successful careers before joining forces to create a dealership with a very different philosophy.

Ralph had played a major role in the success and growth of JCT600, while Colin brought extensive experience from running his own successful bodyshop and vehicle sales business.

Nearly three decades later, those same values continue to guide everything we do.

Together, they shared a simple vision

Not flashy sales tactics.
Not pressure selling.

Just honest advice, properly prepared vehicles and treating customers fairly.

Our Journey

1996
Hollins Hill Cars opens
Colin Jones and Ralph Sissons found the business in April, trading from what is now our vehicle preparation and valeting area.
1997
Richard Palmer joins
Just one year after the doors opened — and still an integral part of the team almost three decades on.
1999
A future owner starts… as the car washer
By all accounts, apparently the worst car washer we’ve ever had.
2006
Ralph retires
Colin continues to grow Hollins Hill Cars, expanding across the site as demand increases.
2014
A return to Hollins Hill
After the Army, then JCT600 and Clive Brook Volvo, our future owner comes back to where it all started.
2016
Johnny Parker joins
Bringing franchised main dealer experience to our vehicle preparation and presentation standards.
2022
A second-generation family business
After more than 25 years at the helm, Colin retires and entrusts the future of Hollins Hill Cars to the next generation.

Growing Alongside Our Community

When Hollins Hill Cars first opened its doors, the business occupied what is now our vehicle preparation and valeting area. As demand grew, so did the business.

Over the years we gradually expanded across the site, carefully developing the dealership while retaining its welcoming, independent feel.

Our current sales office was once a local curtain factory before being transformed into the reception customers know today. Later, when the neighbouring tile shop became available, we expanded once again to create our indoor showroom — allowing customers to browse vehicles comfortably whatever the Yorkshire weather.

Every part of our dealership tells part of our story.

Historic aerial photograph of the Hollins Hill site in Baildon — The site from the air, decades ago

Aerial photograph showing the workshops and forecourt at Hollins Hill, Baildon — Workshops, forecourt and yard as the site grew

Continuing a Family Tradition

In 2006, Ralph retired from the business, leaving Colin to continue growing Hollins Hill Cars. Then, in March 2022, another important chapter began.

After more than 25 years at the helm, Colin retired and entrusted the future of Hollins Hill Cars to me, creating a second-generation family business.

Having spent much of my own working life here, taking over the business wasn’t simply buying a dealership — it was preserving everything that had made Hollins Hill Cars special for so many years.

Today, our focus remains exactly as it always has been

Honest, straightforward advice

Quality hand-picked used cars

Proper vehicle preparation

Exceptional customer service

Long-term relationships rather than short-term sales

The People Behind Hollins Hill Cars

One of the things that truly sets us apart is our team. We’re not a dealership with constantly changing faces — many of our staff have spent decades here, getting to know generations of local families.

Richard Palmer

Joined 1997

Richard joined Hollins Hill Cars in 1997, just one year after the business was founded, and remains an integral part of the team today.

Over almost three decades, Richard has helped parents, children and now even grandchildren from the same families find their next car. His knowledge, honesty and friendly approach have earned the trust of thousands of customers throughout West Yorkshire.

Outside work, Richard is married with two daughters — while his fox-red Labrador, Millie, has become something of a celebrity around the dealership.

My Journey

Owner · Joined 1999

I first joined Hollins Hill Cars in 1999… as the car washer. By all accounts, I was apparently the worst car washer we’ve ever had!

After leaving the Army, I continued my career within the motor trade, working for both JCT600 and Clive Brook Volvo, gaining valuable experience with some of the region’s best-known motor retailers.

In 2014, I returned to Hollins Hill Cars, and in 2022, I was incredibly proud to purchase the business from Colin.

Today, I’m married with three boys who regularly come to work to “help” (with varying degrees of success!), while our Jack Russell, Stanley, is usually found somewhere around the office keeping everyone company.

Johnny Parker

Joined 2016

Johnny joined the team in 2016, bringing with him extensive experience gained across several franchised main dealers.

His expertise in vehicle preparation and presentation ensures every car leaving Hollins Hill Cars meets the exceptionally high standards our customers have come to expect.

Behind every vehicle we sell is a huge amount of preparation, attention to detail and pride.

A Dealership Built on Trust

We know buying a used car can sometimes feel daunting. That’s why we’ve never believed in pressure sales or gimmicks.

Many of our customers return to us time after time, recommending us to friends, family and colleagues. Some families are now buying their third generation of vehicles from Hollins Hill Cars.

We think that says more than any advert ever could.

Read Our Customer Reviews

Instead, we concentrate on

Carefully selecting quality used cars
Preparing every vehicle to the highest possible standard
Giving honest, straightforward advice
Offering fair part exchange valuations
Creating an enjoyable, relaxed buying experience

Proud to Support Our Local Community

Being part of the local community has always been important to us. We’re incredibly proud to support a number of local clubs and organisations that make Yorkshire such a fantastic place to live.

These include

Tong Park & Esholt Cricket Club
Baildon Golf Club
Yorkshire Rams American Football Club
Baildon Dynamos Under 8s
Baildon Rugby Club

Supporting local sport and community organisations allows us to give something back to the people who have supported Hollins Hill Cars for so many years.

Baildon Dynamos Under 8s in their Hollins Hill Cars sponsored kit — Baildon Dynamos Under 8s Proud shirt sponsors of the team.

Hollins Hill Cars sponsorship board on the 1st tee at Baildon Golf Club — Baildon Golf Club Sponsors of the 1st tee.

Our Heritage Lives On

Walk around our showroom and you’ll notice historic photographs displayed throughout the building. These images capture decades of motoring history on this very site.

Historic photograph of Hollins Hill Garage forecourt and petrol pumps

The original Hollins Hill Garage

The Hollins Hill petrol station

Historic black and white aerial photograph of the Hollins Hill site

Historic aerial photograph

The early workshop buildings

These images capture

The original Hollins Hill petrol station
Historic aerial photographs of the site
Early workshop buildings
Vintage forecourt photographs
The evolution of the dealership through the years

These photographs remind us every day that we’re custodians of something much bigger than a used car dealership.

We’re continuing a motoring tradition that has served the local community for generations.

Looking to the Future

Proud of our history. Excited about what’s next.

We continue investing in better facilities, improved preparation standards, modern technology and delivering an even better customer experience — while never losing the personal service and family values that have made Hollins Hill Cars so well respected across Baildon, Shipley, Bradford, Guiseley, Ilkley, Leeds and the surrounding areas.

Whether you’re buying your first car, upgrading the family vehicle or returning for your fifth purchase from us, you’ll always receive the same warm welcome.

Thank You

Every customer who has walked through our doors since 1996 has played a part in our story. Many of you have become friends. Many have recommended us to your families. Many continue to return year after year.

For that, we simply want to say thank you.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hollins Hill Cars and helping you become part of our story.

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