Lismore is about to lose another iconic business, Ireland Honda.

After 54 years of servicing the people of Lismore Ireland Honda will close its doors following notification from Honda that it will cease to be an authorised dealer from 5pm Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Ireland Honda started as a motorbike service station in 1968 before starting their relationship with Honda officially in 1969. It was the first Honda postie bike dealership in Australia at the time.

Neil Ireland senior had multiple visits to Japan which proved fruitful and the business shifted from motorbikes to Honda cars.

A Lismore App reader received a letter from Honda Australia which said, "Over the next couple of years Honda Australia is making some changes to its business operations and dealer network. As a result of these changes, Ireland Honda will cease being an Authorised Honda Dealer on the 30th June 2021. That means this dealership will no longer sell new Honda vehicles or be an Authorised Honda Service Centre."

"We would like to take the opportunity to thank Ireland Honda and all its staff for the contribution to the Honda network throughout its many years of service. If you need to service your Honda before 30th June 2021, please call the team at Ireland Honda on (02) 6621 2662. After this date, you can visit our other Honda Centres or contact Honda Australia."

While the letter reads like Honda have been open, helpful and forthcoming with their change of business operation, nothing could be further from the truth.

Honda made dealers aware of their fate only four weeks ago and in doing so put a gag order on all owners so they would not talk to the media.

Through its sources, the Lismore App can tell you that everyone is extremely sad about this situation. Ireland Honda has some long serving and loyal employees who have been with the company for many years, the longest being 43 years.

Ireland Honda achieved great success as a local Lismore dealer by winning national awards in Dealer Excellence achieving some of the highest satisfaction and customer service ratings out of the many dealers throughout Australia.

For those that know someone who owns a Honda car, they more than likely bought it from Ireland Honda. They probably won't be a one Honda family either with the wife or husband having a second and then the children also buying a Honda. It would be safe to say that Ireland Honda coined the phrase "our customers became our family" and after 54 years, that is a lot of family.

There is some good news in this story of change.

The service tenchicians at Ireland Honda will be taking over the service department. So, if you are wondering where you can get your Honda serviced now, same place, same people but a different name.

TGR Auto will be the name of the business from July 1st with Glen Newell leading the team of experienced mechanics. Glen has been running the workshop for 30 years. You can call 0456 414 772 to book your car in now.

June 30, 2021 will see the end of another iconic Lismore family orientated business.