Company History

S & S Motors is a friendly, family run business serving an Island community, owned solely by Mr. George Short and Mrs. Doreen Short. We hope we give every one of our customers a friendly and helpful service. We all go out of our way to make sure our clients get what they want, when they want it. No request is turned down if it is at all possible for us to achieve it.

George Short, a Liverpudlian born in Bootle, first arrived in the Isle of Man in July, 1963 when he came to ride in the Southern 100 Motorcycle races. It was on this occasion that he met his future wife, Doreen (nee Kennaugh), a native of Castletown, being a daughter of Walter Kennaugh who ran a building firm in the town for many years before his retirement.

The die was cast. After riding in both the Manx Grand Prix and the Southern 100 Races over the next few years George moved to the Island in July 1966 when they were married. At that time George was working at Mylchreest Motors, Castletown, as a mechanic. A firm he really enjoyed working for and he was sorry to leave the many friends that he had made, including the management.

George in action.

His ambition always was to own a garage repairing cars and motorcycles.

That opportunity arose when he started this business in December, 1970 and went into partnership with Dave Shimmin, running a car and motorcycle repair business. Hence S & S (Short and Shimmin) was born. This was started
with no money, a tool box and a large rent to pay for the Union Lane site besides the Union Hotel in Castletown. A large overdraft was required and the Isle of Man Bank were the only people to back us, which they still do to this day.

In 1976 we purchased a plot of land and built a purpose built site in Hope Street, Castletown opposite Qualtrough's Timber Yard. We then took on Kawasaki and BMW Franchises. We were now selling bikes and cars and we took on repairs to both.

Unfortunately, Dave Shimmin had to leave the business in 1976, due to ill health.

We moved into yet another purpose build site in Alexandra Road, Castletown in May, 1984. This was a much bigger site with land to expand.

In April, 1986 we took on the Skoda Car Franchise. In those days the cars were rear engined. How they have grown!!!

We opened our Total Petrol Station on 12th August, 1990. We now felt our business was complete, but, on 24th April 1991 we added another Franchise to our collection - Triumph Motorcycles!!

The next to join our family were Ducati in January, 1993.

April, 1998 saw the completion of the new convenience store attached to the Petrol Station.

2003 was a momentous year. The new Motorcycle Showroom was completed and opened in January, 2004.

Is this the final move??? Who knows. We are a growing family business with both children and grandchildren, and we could go anywhere...