Starlux Automotive × ESTAR Education
Training, Skills & Opportunity in Partnership
At Starlux Automotive, we are proud to work in partnership with ESTAR Education to support the next generation of skilled tradespeople — right here in Blaydon.
This partnership brings together real-world automotive experience with structured, professional education, creating clear pathways into skilled employment for young people and adults alike.
Why This Partnership Exists
Across the UK — and especially in the North East — there is a growing skills gap in engineering, automotive, and technical trades.
Too many young people struggle to access:
- hands-on experience
- clear routes into skilled work
- real environments where learning makes sense
At the same time, many adults want to retrain or upskill but lack practical opportunities.
The partnership between Starlux Automotive and ESTAR Education was created to address this gap directly — by combining education and industry, not separating them.
Who Are ESTAR Education?
ESTAR Education is an apprenticeship training provider focused on helping people gain real, hands-on skills in engineering, manufacturing, automotive, and technical trades.
ESTAR supports:
• young people entering work for the first time
• adults retraining or changing careers
• learners who benefit from practical, applied learning
Apprentices earn, train, and build qualifications while developing confidence and employability — learning by doing, not just sitting in a classroom.
How the Partnership Works?
Starlux Automotive provides a live, professional garage environment where learning can be applied safely and meaningfully.
In partnership with ESTAR Education:
- learners gain supervised, real-world experience
- training is structured, assessed, and supported
- skills are developed in a genuine working setting
- education is connected directly to industry standards
This allows learners to understand how a professional garage operates — from safety and quality to customer care and technical competence.
A Small, Functional Garage Model (On This Site)
Starlux Automotive operates on this site as a small, low-volume local garage, not a high-throughput vehicle sales or repair centre.
This approach is deliberate.
By maintaining a controlled workload and modest vehicle numbers, we are able to:
- operate safely and professionally
- maintain high standards of workmanship
- limit traffic, noise, and disruption
- create a calm, functional learning environment
This model ensures the garage remains suitable for education-linked activity, allowing learners from ESTAR Education — and students from other placements — to gain experience in a real but manageable workshop setting.
Designed to Support Learning — Not High Turnover
The site is operated with clear limits on:
- the number of vehicles on site at any one time
- external parking and storage
- working hours
- noise-generating activity
All activity is contained within the site boundary and managed responsibly, ensuring the garage operates as a professional, small-scale commercial use appropriate to its location.
Responsible Use of the Site
On this Blaydon site, Starlux Automotive is not designed to operate as a large-scale, high-volume garage.
Instead, the workshop focuses on:
- servicing and maintenance
- mechanical repairs
- supervised practical learning
- professional workshop standards
The scale of operations is intentionally aligned with training outcomes, ensuring learners can develop skills properly rather than being exposed to production-line working practices.
This allows education to take place in a live, functional garage, without compromising safety, quality, or the surrounding area.
Why Blaydon?
Blaydon and Winlaton have always been home to talented, hands-on people — but too many young people today struggle to see clear routes into skilled trades.
This site was chosen to:
- invest back into the local area
- support local people into real careers
- provide accessible training opportunities
- bring life and pride back into a long-underused building
We believe education, skills, and opportunity should exist within communities, not away from them.
A Model That Can Grow — Responsibly
While Starlux Automotive operates as a small, education-aligned garage on this site, the wider Starlux brand is designed to grow into high-performing operations at other locations in the future.
This Blaydon site serves a specific purpose:
- supporting training
- developing skills
- operating responsibly within the local environment
Our Commitment
This partnership represents a long-term commitment to:
- skills development
- responsible business growth
- community investment
- education that leads to real outcomes
- By bringing education and industry together, Starlux Automotive and ESTAR Education are creating opportunities that extend far beyond the workshop.
Find Out More
Community & Neighbour FAQs
We understand that changes to a building or area can raise questions. We want to be open about what we’re doing and how we operate, and we’re always happy to talk.
What is Starlux Automotive?
Starlux Automotive is a small, professional vehicle servicing and repair garage, operating from the rear of the building.
On this site, Starlux runs at a low volume and focuses on quality workmanship, routine servicing, and mechanical repairs — not high-throughput or large-scale operations.
What is ESTAR Education and how is it involved?
What is ESTAR Education and how is it involved? ESTAR Education is an independent training provider that supports apprenticeships and skills development in technical and engineering trades.
Some learners gain supervised experience within the Starlux workshop as part of structured training, helping them develop real-world skills in a safe, controlled environment.
This is education-linked activity.
Is this a car sales forecourt?
No. Starlux Automotive does sell vehicles; however, it does not operate as a large or high-volume car sales forecourt.
Vehicle sales are carried out on a small scale and are directly linked to the garage’s normal operation. The number of vehicles offered for sale on site is limited, carefully managed, and does not result in vehicle storage or impact on surrounding areas.
How many vehicles are on site?
Vehicle numbers are kept deliberately low.
The site is managed to ensure:
- no build-up of vehicles
- no external storage past our boundaries
- vehicles are present in the collection bay only when being collected or dropped off
This helps keep activity calm and appropriate for the area.
Are MOT tests carried out on site?
No.
Starlux Automotive does not carry out MOT testing. MOTs are arranged through an independent partner garage where required.
What are the working hours?
The garage operates within normal daytime working hours as specified within the Class E use on the premises.
We are mindful of noise and aim to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.
Will there be noise or disruption?
As with any garage, some noise is unavoidable during working hours, particularly during refurbishment periods.
However:
- noisy works are limited to appropriate times in line with council guidelines
- the site is kept clean and organised
- fencing and layout are designed to reduce disturbance
We aim to be good neighbours and respond quickly if any issues arise.
Is this a permanent training centre?
No.
This site is a working garage, not a college or classroom facility. Although ESTAR will be, held at the front street. Training activity is integrated into day-to-day operations under supervision.
Why was Blaydon chosen for this site?
Blaydon and Winlaton have a strong history of skilled, hands-on work.
This site allows us to:
- invest in a long-underused building
- support local people into skilled careers
- bring training and opportunity closer to home
Our aim is to add value to the area, not disrupt it.
Who can I contact if I have a concern?
We welcome:
- conversations with neighbours
- interest from young people or adults wanting to learn
We want this to be something the local area can feel proud of.
How can the community get involved?
We believe communication is important.
If you have any concerns or questions, you are welcome to contact:
- Keiran Casey – Director, Starlux Automotive
- Dale Robinson – Director, Starlux Automotive
(Details available on the Contact page)
Our doors are open, and we’re always happy to talk.
Our Commitment
We are committed to:
- operating responsibly
- respecting our neighbours
- maintaining a clean, safe site
- supporting education and skills locally
If you have questions at any time, please reach out.