THE first service customer visited Alan Gibson Mazda last week, nearly three weeks before the new dealership's doors are officially opened to the public.

Julie Wild, from North Waltham, had seen an advertisement in The Gazette for the new franchise at Alan Gibson's A30 site and got straight on the phone to book her Mazda6's first service.

Mrs Wild said: "Until now, the nearest Mazda dealership was quite a way away so I was really pleased to learn that Alan Gibson was taking on a Mazda franchise in Old Basing - just in time for my car's first service.

"I'd had dealings with Alan Gibson before and I knew it was a very good dealership.

"My experience here has been wonderful. Staff are very friendly and polite. I brought the car in during the morning for its 12,500-mile service and they called me in the afternoon to say it was ready for collection.

"They also offer a collection and delivery service, courtesy cars and lifts to and from work, home or the train station.

"I was pleased to see they'd given my car a thorough clean as part of the service and I'd certainly recommend them to anyone."

Technicians at the site, which already sells and services Alfa Romeos and Fiats, have been retraining in time for the Mazda dealership's December 1 opening.

"We've received five service bookings already and the sales department has taken orders for three new cars," said aftersales manager Nigel James. "We're really encouraged by the response we've had before even opening our doors.

"I'm personally quite excited that we're taking on Mazda. I've been in the motor trade for more than 30 years and worked with Mazda before so I know that, as a product, they are extremely reliable and nice cars to work with.

"Mazda is going from strength to strength as far as vehicle sales in the UK are concerned and we're all very pleased that we're now going to be a part of that."