Good news from the South East as Kent-based Oakley Motorcycles is expanding its operations. The firm, led by MD and owner Paul Blair, has taken over the legendary JW Groombridge Motorcycles site in Heathfield, which closed down last year after 73 years in business. And it’s rebranding the store as PK Powersports, which will operate a multi-franchise dealership offering CFMoto, Voge, and BSA, with Morbidelli, Royal Alloy, Neco, and Bluroc following on. The firm will also be an official Segway Powersports dealer, offering a full range of ATVs, UTVs, and Side-by-Sides, as well as garden machinery and other power equipment – ideal for the rural areas surrounding Heathfield. The PK dealership will initially be occupying the former Kawasaki showroom and workshops, with the option to expand into the old Royal Enfield building as the business grows.
“When Groombridge closed, it really left a hole in the local biking scene,” said Blair. “For decades, this site was a meeting point and a social hub. Bringing it back isn’t just a business move, it’s a chance to rebuild that sense of community and excitement around motorcycling in the South East.”
A big part of the plan is that community aspect, and Blair is working hard to open the in-house café for the start of next season. “We all know how important a café will be to the spirit of this place,” says Blair. “We want riders to pop in for a coffee, meet their mates, browse the bikes, and feel part of something again. It’s about rebuilding that community and having a bit of fun while we’re at it.”
And the expansion is a positive turnaround for Blair and his company, too, as he told BDN. “We started Oakley in June 2021 and grew quite rapidly until late 2023, when we were hit with five break-ins and several other challenges, leading to us having to close our main showroom in Maidstone and operate from a small unit and our Maidstone-based Yamaha dealership.
“Now we are on the road to recovery, it’s time to move forward again, and the former Groombridge site makes perfect sense. We’ll be opening before the end of the year, possibly even early November if we can get in the building quickly. We will be running light to start with to get through the winter but will step up next year as quickly as we can.”