First Stop is accelerating plans to expand its fast-fit network, stealing a march on rivals in 2022.

First Stop is planning to grow to 220 centres nationwide by 2024

The network currently has 124 outlets on the dealer locator of Firststop.co.uk after a number of new signings from automotive centres.

And it’s planning to grow to 220 centres nationwide by 2024, nearly doubling its existing network.

Its network has been boosted by a new partnership announcement with John Stone (Stone Tyres) along with another high-profile partnership with Brian Palmer of The Pit Stop garage in Colchester, while three of First Stop’s longest-standing franchisees have also agreed to five-year contract extensions.

The First Stop network also continues to expand geographically, with significant additions in Teesside (Teesside Tyrepower), Cramlington (Cramlington Tyres & Repairs) to Extreme Tyres (Littlehampton) and Freeman’s Tyres (Bournemouth).

UK retail network manager Mark Widdows said it’s a sign of things to come.

He commented: “To bring in new partners – and industry leading ones at that – is something to be extremely proud of, as our network proposition is clearly resonating with established business owners who know the industry inside out.

“John Stone and Brian Palmer are examples of this and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome them on board. Equally, to have the faith of our existing partners like Trevor Kelleher, Laurence Nicholls and Gary Jones is just as rewarding and another indicator that we are doing the right things.

“We will be building on these announcements in 2022 and already have more agreements that we are working on right now.”