19/02/2026
The family business behind Shaftesbury’s Morrisons Daily store and neighbouring Elite Garages is expanding again – this time through the acquisition of 14 ATS Euromaster branches.
National tyre fitter ATS, which once operated in Shaftesbury on the site now used as the car park opposite the King’s Arms, is winding down its UK operations.
Elite Garages managing director Richard Whittemore described the deal as a milestone for the company, which began in the 1960s and is now run by Richard and his daughter Kelsey Whittemore.
The acquisition adds 14 vehicle repair centres to an existing network of 38, including the Shaftesbury site. The wider Whittemore portfolio also includes nine petrol stations, a wholesale tyre business and a rental property company. Residential tenants occupy flats above Morrisons Daily in Shaftesbury, the family’s only supermarket.
The nearest ATS Euromaster branches transferring to Elite are in Cirencester, Stroud and Wi******er.
The takeover could safeguard 61 jobs across the newly acquired sites.