Swaythling passenger cars in the UK, leaving the Southampton made Transit as their only British-made vehicle. In 2009, with the new Kocaeli, Turkey, plant in full production, Ford reluctantly halved production at Southampton and reduced the workforce to just over 500. Employing 500 workers, the factory produced up to 35,000 Transit chassis/cab variant vehicles annually, of which 50% were exported. The Ford Southampton plant closed on 26 July 2013. The very first branch of the DIY chain B&Q was opened in Swaythling in 1969. The shop was owned by Messrs Block and Quayle. Swaythling railway station is on the main line
Martyn Quayle Martyn Quayle George Martyn Quayle, MHK (6 February 1959 – 26 August 2016) was a Manx politician who previously held the position of Minister of Tourism and Leisure in the Isle of Man Government and represented Middle in the House of Keys. He served as minister of the Department of Social Care. Martyn Quayle was born on the Isle of Man, the son of George Douglas Quayle and Elaine Evelyn Corrin. He was educated at St Ninian's High School and Ballakermeen High School before joining the Civil Service. He then joined Isle of Man Farmers Ltd, rising to Company Secretary