As horses gave way to motorbikes and cars in the early 1900s, Richmond businessman John Warring saw opportunity and built a business to match the changing times.
In mid-1921 John advertised his new venture, urging motorists not to throw away worn tyres but to have them made new through re-treading, splicing and vulcanising tubes. His workshop was initially near the corner of Queen Street and Gladstone Road before relocating in November 1922 to premises opposite the Star and Garter Hotel.
By October 1924, John had expanded into vehicle sales, becoming an agent for the AJS motorcycle, which he described as the ‘demon of the track’. He later added BSA motorcycles as a sub-agent.
Looking ahead, John applied to Richmond Borough Council in early 1927 to install a kerbside petrol pump outside his garage. Approval was granted, subject to compliance with borough by-laws and supervision by the Dangerous Goods Inspector.
Safety was front of mind for council, which required a large wooden turntable to be installed so vehicles would not have to reverse onto Queen Street, a manoeuvre considered too dangerous. From 1 April 1927, the council introduced an annual fee of £3. 3 shillings for any petrol pump operating in the borough.
In 1928, John applied to install three petrol pumps at the site. Continuing to expand his services, he introduced a car hire offering in 1930 and, by 1937, was authorised to test and issue warrant of fitness certificates under government regulations.
After John’s retirement, the business was run for a time by his son-in-law before passing to a new owner. The garage eventually closed in 1969.
The Warring family sold the land, including the area behind the garage, to Richmond Borough Council with the condition that a free public carpark be provided. This led to the development of the Warring carpark, although Tasman District Council now intends to introduce parking charges at the site.
The Warring name remains linked to the area through the carpark, which still occupies land once owned by the family.
Further competition emerged in 1934 when Richmond Garage and Service Station opened nearby on the corner of Cambridge and Queen streets. Alan James Cromie and G. Scoltock initially operated in partnership, but in 1935 this was dissolved by mutual agreement, with Cromie taking sole control.
In 1946, Cambridge Motors opened on Cambridge Street, opposite the Town Hall, under Raymond Win. Raymond served as the Jowett agent for Nelson and Marlborough from 1947 to 1953, and also held the Bradford Motors franchise.
From the 1970s, Rodgers Garage operated as a Europa service station before later becoming a BP outlet. It also ran Riverview Motors next door.
