We are five days into it now, but may I wish all our readers a happy new year!

I do hope everyone managed to have a relaxing and peaceful break of some description. I'm sure we'll all be grateful for it as we begin to face everything that 2024 chooses to throw at us!

Whatever may be on the horizon, Service Dealer will be here every step of the way throughout the year, documenting events and reflecting dealers' views on all the surprises that the industry chooses to offer.

Already in 2024 for example, I'm hearing of dealerships affected by delays in parts supplies - plus the horrendous flooding seen around the county must be producing knock-on adversity for dealerships in a variety of locations?

So on the point of reflecting the views of our dealer readers, I'd just like to reiterate that Service Dealer is always delighted to receive, and indeed relies upon, our readership's views, thoughts, comments and questions.

Please always feel free to contribute with your reactions to the content under any article published here or on our website. Or if you have a particular industry issue or concern that you would like to raise with our community of dealer readers - one that you would perhaps like to gauge your peers' thoughts and experiences on - please always drop me a line with your ideas.

It's our readers at the sharp end of the industry who keep us informed and shape the agenda of what we as a journal for the industry cover across our pages and outlets. That's why we always want to include as many dealers' voices as we can.

This desire is hopefully reflected in today's Weekly Update via a couple of items that look back on key events from last year. Firstly, within our most read stories of 2023 feature - which is always a fascinating piece to compile - it's clear the kind of stories that our dealer readers are most interested to engage with. It is also the case, with stories such as the demise of F.R Jones or the controversy surrounding a manufacturer's payment of warranty claims, that it's hearing the opinions of our dealer readers that well and truly lead those narratives.

Also today, we have a great short film put together by the team at TAP, which recalls the fabulous day back in November that was the Service Dealer Conference & Awards.

That whole event is unquestionably shaped by our readers. All the expert speakers are sourced following feedback given by attendees to the organisers regarding what type of content they would be interested in seeing at future Conferences. And of course the evening's Awards ceremony is entirely devoted to celebrating the incredible ingenuity and entrepreneurship displayed by the UK dealer network. The night is spent being regaled by stories of success from businesses large and small, up and down the length of the country. 

So do have a watch of the highlights reel today. Seeing it all again brings it home what a special occasion it was and just how joyful an evening the dealer awards always are.

Looking ahead now to 2024, there will more stories to tell and further controversies to negotiate, of that there's no doubt - and Service Dealer relishes the opportunity to share in this with all of you. We'll be here every Friday at noon, through your letterbox six times during the course the year, and all the time via our social media channels.

So remember, that whatever you'd like to say or raise with our wonderful community, please do let us know. It's your journal.