We are proud to be developing the business as the leading body repair and paint shop in the South West.
Image Coachworks opened in November 2023 and, through a combination of industry contacts and word-of-mouth recommendations, quickly established a strong – and growing – client base.
Director and paint sprayer Gareth Haycock had set up his own business, building on years of training and experience, when he came to the attention of Jonathan Jones-Pratt, founder and Chairman of JJP Holdings South West, who is renowned for his passion for buses, trains and vintage vehicles. He asked Gareth to do some work on some his vehicles.
Jonathan said: “I saw Gareth’s passion and drive for the industry and with my desire to invest in Somerset and the local people, I saw the potential to create something special.
“I have been around the bus and train sector pretty much all my life and I have never seen anyone paint like Gareth does, with such exceptional attention to detail.
“Together, we created Image Coachworks, where Gareth can continue to do what he does so well, but with the resilience of a big group behind him, with a wealth of expertise, knowledge and lessons learned from more than two decades in the sector to draw upon.”
Gareth’s vision for the business is a simple one; to provide the highest quality of service from the moment a potential client makes first contact with Image Coachworks to the moment they leave as a satisfied customer, with the job done.
He now has a growing team of staff supporting him and said: “I want to create a company that I would want to work for myself.
“I value my staff, respect them and appreciate what they do, and in line with Jonathan’s vision of creating career opportunities in Somerset, look forward to being able to grow the Image Coachworks team in the future.
“We have a ‘right first time’ attitude, and nothing leaves our workshop without my seal of approval.
“I am my own worst critic and have very standards; with any work that we do, I take the approach that if I would not be willing to pay for it, then it does not leave here.
“I take a lot of pride in my work and really enjoy looking at a vehicle once we have finished with it.”
Gareth Haycock, Director
Gareth was born and raised in Blackpool where, as part of his vehicle body repair and paint NVQ course, he did a work placement at the former TVR factory in the town.
He then moved to Bristol where his professional career began, doing paintwork on commercial vehicles, box vans and breakdown vehicles.
He then applied his skills to F1 paddock trucks, hospitality units and car transporters for the likes of Aston Martin and Lotus, work which took him all over the European Grand Prix circuit for a few years.
He then worked for British Aerospace as a coded painter until the Covid pandemic hit Britain and he was put on furlough.
British Aerospace then offered redundancy options to numerous staff and Gareth accepted, using some of his redundancy money to set up his own business, Image Paint Works, which is when he came to the attention of Jonathan Jones-Pratt, founder and Chairman of JJP Holdings.
Gareth did some work on some of Jonathan’s buses, and other vehicles, and two-and-a-half years after Image Paint Works started trading, Image Coachworks was born.
Away from the day job, Gareth is a self-confessed motorsport fanatic and races saloon cars at Castle Combe circuit at Chippenham and all over the country, although his racing has taken a bit of a back seat while Image Coachworks takes off.
Gareth has four children and is hoping that at least one of them will follow in his footsteps into the industry that he, himself, has so much passion for.
Jonathan Jones-Pratt – founder and Chairman of JJP Holdings South West
“I have been around the bus and train sector pretty much all my life and I have never seen anyone paint like Gareth does, with such exceptional attention to detail.”