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FJ Chalke, a family owned business since 1929

Originally established by Frederick James Chalke in the village of Mere. A small town and civil parish in Wiltshire, Mere lies at the extreme southwestern tip of Salisbury Plain, close to the borders of Somerset and Dorset.

Since 1929, the family business has passed through the generations and is now managed by the grandson of the original FJ Chalke – James Chalke.

With showrooms throughout Somerset and 6 franchises, the company continues to grow and grow, with a new flagship Kia & Nissan showroom opening on the 16th December 2019, find out more here.

2019 is our 90th birthday year, to celebrate we have put together a brief timeline of the FJ Chalke journey.

Frederick James Chalke with Grandson, James Chalke

Frederick James Chalke with Grandson, James Chalke
Circa 1962

Accident damaged lorry belonging to haulier V J Doggrell of Mere

Accident damaged lorry belonging to haulier V J Doggrell of Mere

Mrs Dorothy Chalke enjoying a test drive

Mrs Dorothy Chalke enjoying a test drive

150 years of combined service: L-R Grahame Fry, Frances Maidment, Steve Fowler, Paul Andrews and Scott Young

150 years of combined service: L to R Grahame Fry, Frances Maidment, Steve Fowler, Paul Andrews and Scott Young
2010

Old workshops in Mere

Old workshops in Mere

David Chalke pictured with Austin 7

David Chalke pictured with Austin 7
Circa 1936

Mere showroom circa 1980

Mere showroom
Circa 1980

Original Lloyds Bank paying-in book with handwritten entries featuring Frederick James Chalke

Original Lloyds Bank paying-in book with handwritten entries featuring Frederick James Chalke

Frederick James Chalke

Frederick James Chalke
Circa 1920’s

Mere workshop & reception area

Mere workshop & reception area
Circa 1970’s

Staff lineup. David Chalke 3rd from left, Frederick James Chalke 4th from left

Staff lineup. David Chalke 3rd from left, Frederick James Chalke 4th from left
Circa 1950

>Mere Carnival float. L to R: David Chalke, Derek Fricker, Frank Hurst, Derick Lampard, George Bowering and Roy Knox

Mere Carnival float. L to R: David Chalke, Derek Fricker, Frank Hurst, Derick Lampard, George Bowering and Roy Knox
Circa 1960’s

Wedding Car Hire & Driver

Wedding Car Hire & Driver
Circa 1930’s

Frederick James Chalke and David Chalke

Frederick James Chalke and David Chalke
Circa 1936

F J Chalke at Mere garage 1948

Frederick James Chalke at Mere garage
1948

F J Chalke circa 1929

F J Chalke
Circa 1929

Frederick James Chalke establishes FJ Chalke selling and repairing cars in Mere

1929

David Chalke (son of Frederick) joins the company. The journey begins with Austin, Riley and Triumph

1950

James Chalke (son of David) joins the company

1978

Purchased the Wincanton showroom with Rover

1985

Wincanton welcomes the Nissan franchise

1987

Wincanton showoom moves to the Business Park

1989

Purchased the Yeovil showroom with Nissan

1999

Acquire Gillingham Rover

2003

Mere welcomes the Kia franchise

2004

Purchased Vale Motors with Fiat and Isuzu

2007

Yeovil welcomes the Kia franchise

2009

Vale Motors welcomes the Suzuki franchise

2010

One of only 24 retailers nationwide to sell the all electric Nissan LEAF

2011

FJ Chalke begin a journey to reduce their impact on the environment

2012

FJ Chalke continue to evolve as an environmentally friendly dealer group

2013

95 solar panels installed at the Wincanton showroom

2015

Purchased land for new Dealership in Yeovil

2016

Work begins on the multi-million pound Nissan and Kia showroom at Fusion Park, Yeovil. Estimated completion December 2019

2018

FJ Chalke celebrates 90 years in Business

2019

Work is completed on the multi-million pound Nissan and Kia showroom at Fusion Park, Yeovil. Doors opened: 16th December 2019

2019