Becks Motorhomes has been a frequent Gold Award winner since our Owner Satisfaction Awards began many years ago.
In our 2017 survey, it came top of the pile for supplying new motorhomes for sale, scoring an impressive 96%.
Over decades I’ve watched this Norfolk-based, family-run dealership grow into the fantastic business it is today.
In addition, we have spent several enjoyable weekends attending Motor Caravanners’ Club Anglia Group rallies held at Becks’ base in Rollesby – a short drive from both Hemsby and Great Yarmouth as well as being adjacent to the tranquil Ormesby Broad.
The company’s history
Don Beck bought the property and land back in the late 1950s when he was an engineer for the renowned Broadland Boat Company.
This employment was sandwiched between working as a mechanic and as a branch manager for a national chain of garages.
Thus it wasn’t a complete surprise to the locals when he opened a garage selling Shell fuel.
Pretty soon they acquired a 1950s Bedford Dormobile for retail stock and realised immediately that folk wanted to hire it from them.
This was the real starting point for the Becks Motorhomes we know today – demand was so high that they quickly bought a split-screen VW camper van and another and another and a Commer.
Rapidly that single hire vehicle became a fleet of 15, with the staff looking after the mechanical and habitation servicing, and even the cleaning and valeting. This was truly a hands-on management team.
From hiring to buying
Inevitably, hirers asked if they could buy the vehicle at the end of the season and the retail side grew with commensurate speed.
Over the years, Becks Motorhomes has been official dealers for many different manufacturers, including Autohomes, Auto-Sleepers and Auto-Trail.
I think I’m correct in saying that they were the first UK Bürstner dealership and still represent the marque, as well as offering new models from European manufacturers Hymer and Adria and from home-grown Bailey of Bristol.
There is always a fine selection of used motorhomes for sale, too, and Becks has helped several of my friends find the ’van of their dreams within their budget.
Looking to the future
Don is taking a well-earned break and has moved to the ‘back seat’ in the running of the business.
His daughter Alison and son-in-law John Maitland have taken up the reins and adhere strictly to his established values and priorities, while pushing the firm forward by expanding and continually updating the workshop and the skills of those who work for them.
Becks may be long-established but it has never rested on its laurels.
It has a huge number of returning customers… proof indeed that it is worthy of all the praise heaped upon it.
Becks may be long-established but it has never rested on its laurels