It's that time of the year again...

'Tis the season once more—the streetlights flicker to life by 4:30pm, and darkness descends by 5:00pm. The weather is draped in shades of grey, a chill in the wind, and some of your neighbours have probably already got their Christmas lights blinking in their windows.

Does time really speed up as you age? It can certainly feel that way, and with Christmas just around the corner, it also signals the end of the year and with it, the impending arrival of 2024!

In these quieter times of the year, it can be useful to reflect on the past 12 months and take stock of achievements and lessons learned. At First Response Finance, we've completed the refurbishment of all our offices, sponsored Chris Smiley of Restart Racing in the TCR-UK racing series and launched two new websites—one for consumers and another for our dealer partners.

We also hosted our first annual conference since COVID at Stoke City Football Club , and despite challenging trading conditions due to the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing economic problems, our award-winning service has resulted in fantastic growth for us across the board.

It's been rewarding, but far from easy; hard graft never is, but the fruits of our labour throughout the year have paid off and will continue to do so in the new year.

We are aware that dealers in the trade have been working tirelessly too, adapting to a market where used car prices continue to fluctuate, buyer behaviour shifts due to tightened budgets, and changes in some of the finance lenders' criteria have made it tough going for dealers.

The remarkable resilience displayed by those in the motor trade never ceases to amaze us. It's this unwavering determination that not only withstands the difficulties, but also propels the motor trade forward.

As the Christmas and new year festivities draw near, it’s always a good time to reflect on your dealerships journey over the last 12 months. There are usually so many good things that just get forgotten or left behind, due to the relentless pace of the motor trade, and we would also recommend celebrating those achievements too. If you have any successes you would like to share, get in touch with us on LinkedIn page, and we will happily share them.

All of us here at First Response Finance , would like to wish all in the motor trade a Christmas filled with moments cherished with those who truly matter. As we toast to the new year, may our collective hangovers on New Year's Day be mild, and may the coming year bring you prosperity and success. Whatever challenges or triumphs lie ahead, remember that First Response Finance are here to support you every step of the way.

Here's to a merry Christmas, a happy new year, and a promising start to 2024. ??????