Swindon garage owner to retire after 37 years

Frank Anello, 66, has been in charge of Frank’s Autos in Stratton St Margaret since 1983 but has called time on his career.

The mechanic, originally from Calabria in Italy, moved to England at the age of 9 with his parents in 1965.

Since he was small Frank had always wanted to work with vehicles, and it was his dream to become a mechanic.

“All I ever wanted to be was a motor mechanic,” he said.

“Ever since I was a little boy I wanted to work with cars, and I have lived my dream doing so!”

Frank has been running the garage since 1983. (Image: Frank Anello)

Frank had worked for other garages until 1983 when he was made redundant, so he decided to go solo and open his own business in Swindon that year.

“I enjoyed managing my own garage and I even had the help of my brother Dominic who joined me in 1986, before moving on to other things in 2012,” he said.

Over time Frank has gained many regular customers at the garage, making him a well-established person in the community for those living in Swindon.

“I got a lot of business from word of mouth over the years,” he revealed.

“I still have regulars coming to me from 1983 although some have died.”

Frank has worked on a variety of vehicles during his time as a mechanic. (Image: Frank Anello)

Despite getting to know his customers very well on the whole, this has not stopped unique and surprising moments from happening across Frank’s extensive career catering to vehicles.

“A chap once came into the garage holding a carburettor and asked me if I could tune it for him,” he laughed.

“You can tune them when they’re in the car but not when it’s in your hand, I need the car!”

Over the years, Frank has worked on a whole host of different vehicles with some cars standing out as clear highlights.

“I had a Rolls Royce in the garage in the last 10 years which was fun to work on,” he recalled.

“But at the end of the day all of the jobs are very similar no matter the brand, they just had to pay more money for the parts!”

Frank's Autos has become a notable business in Swindon over the decades since its inception. (Image: Frank Anello)

When his parents moved back to Italy in 1995, Frank chose to stay in Wiltshire and carry on the business he had successfully set up.

He met his wife Barbara in Swindon and the pair have been happily married for 45 years and he is happy to be spending more time with her even though she is continuing her own job.

“I’m looking forward to it, but I am apprehensive of leaving as I don’t know what the retired life will be like,” said Frank.

“Nevertheless, I take each day as it comes.”

The mechanic says he sees around 20 customers a week and therefore wanted to send out a message to them ahead of his departure from the business.

Frank is looking forward to retirement but is apprehensive to finally lay his spanners down. (Image: Frank Anello)

“I would like to wish my past and present customers a merry Christmas and a happy new year,” said Frank.

“Thanks to all of you for your support over the years.”

Although Frank is hanging up his spanners this week, he has still said that he will be available to those customers should they want any advice regarding their vehicles.

All they need do is give him a call and ask, showing that, although smaller, Frank will keep that mechanical aspect in his life for the foreseeable future.

The garage will be renamed Swindon Automotive Repair and will be managed under the joint-ownership of Dave Gray and Leigh Muldowney.