A RECENT Bolton Bury Business magazine article about the local "money go round" struck a chord with Bury garage boss Ken Hammond.

He was in full agreement with Bolton and Bury Chamber president Andrew Dickson's long-held view that members should do business with each other wherever possible.

So Mr Hammond, the managing director, invited Mr Dickson to have a look round Boundary Garage in Buxton Street, a company specialising in vehicle accident repairs.

Mr Dickson, who runs St Andrews Travel in Bolton, said in the April issue of the magazine: "If there is a service that is available nationally and locally then let's buy it locally." He said during his visit: "I get frustrated when I see shops being fitted out in Bolton and Bury by firms with Birmingham or London telephone numbers on the van.

"I want to know why it cannot be done by somebody locally."

Mr Hammond, who is keen to expand his business into vehicle fleet management, told Mr Dickson that his "money go round" concept was on the right track and encouraged him to spread the message widely.

"Andrew has got it dead right," Mr Hammond said, stressing that he always uses local suppliers.

Mr Dickson, proudly wearing the famous Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce chain of office, said he hoped more of the Chamber's 1,200 members would get the message.

"I hope to see Ken at some of the meetings we have," he added.

Boundary Garage, which employs 52 people, was first established in 1972 in Breightmet Mill on the Bolton-Bury border.

It started operations in Buxton Street in 1991 after the merger of two separate companies within the business.