Two Bury-based car businesses celebrate their 20-year milestones this year.

Car Benefit Solutions (CBS) and Circle Leasing, both based at The Barracks, was proud to mark trading for two decades this month.

The company hosted a celebratory event at their head office at the former Fusilier Barracks on Bolton Road.

Employees enjoyed great food, mocktails, outdoor games and a live musician throughout the day.

The business has a volunteering programme called My Make a Difference Day and they partner with several charities as part of this that include Bury Hospice, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, The Fusilier Museum, Manchester Dogs Home, Bury Cancer Support Centre and Bury Christian Fellowship.

As part of the 20-year milestone, CBS is launching The Year of Giving Back, where for 12 months they will be doing charitable fundraising activities whilst trying to raise money with a target of £20,000.

Managing director Paul Taylor said: “We are extremely proud to be celebrating our 20th anniversary.

“Having navigated the financial crash in 2008, and more recently Covid and the semi-conductor shortage, our business remains solid, and this is largely due to the calibre of employees here at CBS.

“I would like to thank employees past and present who have helped us get to this milestone and I’m looking forward to the next 20 years!”

The firm currently holds a two-star accreditation from engagement firm Best Companies, which classes it as an "outstanding company" to work for.

They also have Investors in People Gold accreditation and a We Invest in Wellbeing Silver Award, all of which are based around the outcome of employee satisfaction surveys.

CBS has grown significantly in recent years in terms of turnover, having reached a loan book value of £4m and now well on the way to £5m.

Their employee headcount has tripled since 2015 and now stands at 150 employees.

But CBS has stayed "true to its location roots", remaining and operating from Bury and being an active part of the community.

The 20th birthday celebration event at The Barracks, was co-hosted with Circle Leasing, who are based in the same building and have a mutual chairman, Dennis Studholme, as they are also celebrating 20 years in business in July.

Circle Leasing, a well-established firm and the largest courtesy car leasing provider in the UK, marked their 20th anniversary on Friday, July 1.

The company has leased over 140,000 courtesy cars to body shops nationwide.

According to managing director Aidan Minogue, the secret to the company's success can be attributed to customer focus, shrewd financial practice, and a focus on technology.

He said: "We put our customers at the forefront of our decision-making.

“After 20 years in the market, we have developed excellent relationships with them and grown this well-deserved trust.

"We place genuine investments in our people, processes, and platforms to ensure our customers can easily trade with our business with minimal fuss and bureaucracy.

“Finally, we make sensible financial decisions to ensure we are here for the long-term.”

Circle Leasing currently has 40 staff at their purpose-built offices at The Barracks and they have supported the community for many years with annual fundraisers for Bury Hospice and they are now starting a new initiative to ban single-use-plastics in the workplace.

Mr Minogue added: “We are committed to longevity.

"Being in business 20 years shows we are here for the long term, and we look towards the future when making any decision.

“We think about our profits, people, and the planet to ensure we are here for the next 20 years.

"We are grateful to our staff and customers that have supported us over the last 20 years. We look forward to our next 20 years."