About Us
A family-run garage with deep roots in Belper — built on honesty, quality, and community.
Belper's Trusted Family Garage
MA and RA Stone have been at the heart of Belper's motoring community for over 100 years. We've built our reputation the old-fashioned way — by being honest with our customers, doing the job properly first time, and charging a fair price.
The garage is a genuine family operation, currently run by Paul Hubbard and his wife Dawn. The Hubbard family having been involved for two generations after taking over from the Stone family, three decades ago.
Word of mouth from happy customers remains our biggest source of new business, and that's something we're incredibly proud of.
We know most of our regular customers by name, and many have been bringing their cars to us for years — some even generations. That kind of loyalty means the world to us.
Our Values
These are the principles that guide everything we do at Stone's Garage.
Honesty
We tell you what your car actually needs — nothing more. If a repair can wait, we'll say so.
Quality
Every job is carried out to a high standard using quality parts. We won't cut corners.
Fair Pricing
Competitive rates with no hidden charges. We will keep you informed of the likely cost before we start.
Community
We're part of Belper and proud of it. We care about the people we serve and the area we're in.
All Makes & Models
Our technicians are experienced across the full range of vehicles on UK roads. Whether you drive a small city car, a family estate, an SUV, or a light commercial vehicle, we've got you covered.
We work on petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles and keep up to date with evolving vehicle technology to ensure we can service modern cars to the same standard as older ones.
We service and repair all common makes and rarer luxury vehicles.
Belper's Central Garage since 1917
The garage was originally founded by Arthur Henry Channing Norman in 1917, as a small repair shop, specialising in bicycles and early motor bikes at the current site on Bridge Street, Belper (now the A6). A small tea room, was run by Arthur's wife Eliza upstairs where the bay window is still present today.
Maurice Arthur Stone became Arthur Norman's business partner in 1933 and the business traded as 'Norman & Stone', as seen on the side window of the black and white photo to the left. During this period of joint ownership the garage expanding to repair a greater range of motor bicycles and vehicles.
In 1939, Arthur Norman died suddenly and Maurice Arthur Stone became the sole proprietor of the garage, moving his family including wife Doris and young son Roy Arthur into the flat above the garage. After Roy's national service, Maurice and Roy ran the business together as 'MA and RA Stone', during this period the garage expanded and the garage eventually purchased the building from the local mill owning Stott family. Maurice passed away in 1950.
The Stone family ownership continued until 1991, when Colin Hubbard and Mick Saunby, who worked at the garage agreed to buy it, to allow Roy, now aged 64, a well-earned retirement.
Supported by their wives, Kath and Melanie, in the office, the business continued to serve the local community until Colin sadly passed away in 2006. At this point Paul Hubbard, Colin's son, became a joint owner with Mick.
In 2025 Mick retired, leaving MA and RA Stone in the safe hands of husband and wife team Paul and Dawn Hubbard.