End of the Road: ATS Euromaster to Wind Down UK Operations, Over 700 Jobs at Risk

In a move that marks the end of an era for a long-standing automotive service brand, ATS Euromaster has confirmed it will begin a structured wind-down of its United Kingdom business, ending decades of tyre retail and vehicle servicing across the country amid mounting financial pressures.

The Michelin-owned fast-fit garage chain said on Thursday that ongoing trading losses and intense competition have left the operation with “no viable path to a break-even position”, despite efforts in recent years to restructure and right-size its network.

A Rapid Retreat from the UK Market

The decision follows a series of closures that began in 2025, when ATS Euromaster shut 86 of its underperforming centres in a bid to stem financial losses. Those steps ultimately proved insufficient. The company now plans to wind down its UK business in a phased process, with consultation periods running through April.

Under current proposals:

• 35 of its 152 service points are set to be acquired by Formula One Autocentres, expanding that rival’s national footprint.
• 14 locations are expected to be taken on by Elite Garages, a family-run network that will welcome 61 ATS Euromaster staff under TUPE transfer arrangements.

These partial sales aim to preserve jobs and maintain local service continuity in select regions as the exit unfolds. However, the highly publicised rescue efforts will not be enough to save the entire network.

Jobs and Communities on Edge

ATS Euromaster has warned that as many as 703 roles are at risk of redundancy across its remaining centres, head office in Birmingham, and call centre if the wind-down proceeds as planned. Staff in specialist mobile roles may be offered transfers to Tructyre, a separate business within the Euromaster Group that focuses on commercial vehicle tyre services.

In issued statements, Group Managing Director Nick Harley described the announcement as “an extremely sad and difficult moment,” acknowledging the emotional and economic impact on employees, their families, and the communities served by the network.

Support measures, including access to outplacement services and employee assistance programmes, are to be agreed through the statutory consultation process.

Market Strains and Broader Challenges

Industry analysts point to a confluence of market challenges that have squeezed the automotive aftermarket in the UK: overcapacity, rising operating costs, sluggish fleet maintenance budgets, and shifting consumer behaviour. Even after shedding loss-making sites, ATS Euromaster found the remaining network too small to compete effectively at scale.

“It would no longer be viable,” the company said in outlining its strategy, adding that the loss of geographic reach following the divestments would undercut competitiveness.

What This Means for Customers

For motorists, the current wind-down process means that existing locations will remain open throughout the consultation period, allowing bookings and services to continue for the time being. If all proposals proceed, the final day of trading across the UK network is projected to be 1 May 2026.

The exit pertains solely to the UK retail and service arms of ATS Euromaster. Other parts of the broader Euromaster Group, including commercial tyre services, remain unaffected by the wind-down plans.

Oliver Bennett

Oliver Bennett is a logistics specialist focused on transport management and operational efficiency. His work centres on route optimisation, supply chain reliability and improving the movement of goods across domestic and international networks.

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