(Any)body work: behind the scenes at London’s first all-female garage

(any)body-work:-behind-the-scenes-at-london’s-first-all-female-garage
(Any)body work: behind the scenes at London’s first all-female garage

Laura Kennedy is making waves in the traditionally male-dominated world of mechanics and engineering by running Spanners With Manners, London’s first all-female garage. Located in Finchley, north London, the garage has become a celebrity hotspot, with both Rod Stewart and Sadie Frost having connections to the business.

Kennedy attributes the success of Spanners With Manners to the welcoming and supportive environment that she and her wife Siobhan have cultivated. The garage has never had to advertise for staff; rather, colleges reach out to the business online to recommend their female trainee mechanics. Kennedy mentions that they have never had ” a man call up for a job.”

Kennedy believes that schools could do more to promote trades as a viable option for both girls and boys. She suggests that discussions about career options could be had years before children reach the age of 16, when they must decide to stay in full-time education, become an apprentice or take up part-time work.

Looking to the future, Kennedy and Siobhan plan to open a MOT centre and, within a year, begin working with electric cars. Kennedy is optimistic about the progress that has been made in recent years to make the industry more inclusive, and says that she wouldn’t be surprised if, in 20 years, there were all-female garages across the UK

Read the full article on Positive News here: Read More