The history of Allan Jefferies, the UK’s first BMW Motorrad dealership

It was 1901 when Joseph Jefferies started the Ross Motor and Cycle Company in Shipley.

His son, Allan (1905-1978), a respected racer in the 30s and 40s, joined the business and burnished its reputation for service and quality.

When Allan’s son Tony (1948-2021) joined in he soon agreed to be the first official BMW motorcycle dealership in the UK.

By 1995 the business had grown so much that a solus BMW dealership was opened in Shipley. From 1997 Allan Jefferies solely representing BMW Motorrad.

In 2000 Tony’s daughter, Louise, was appointed General Manager, growth continued and in 2003 the showroom was extended to double its size.

Over the 2000s, sales and servicing grew so much that in 2010 a £1.7m purpose built showroom was built half a mile down the road.

By 2012 Allan Jefferies was the UK’s number one BMW Motorrad dealer.

2017 saw Rainbow Motorrad in Rotherham join the family.

A new chapter started in 2022 with Allan Jefferies acquired by Vertu Motorcycles, an experienced motorcycle retailer, with existing dealerships including Vertu BMW Motorrad Sunderland and Vertu Honda Motorcycles in Nottingham, Grantham and Stockton.

We feel privileged to have acquired this historic and renowned motorcycle business and customers can expect to receive continued sales and aftersales care from the same expert BMW Motorrad team at the same locations.