Purpose built and first used as the home of Barton Transport Limited (Bartons) from 1913, The Garage was the official base of a family firm that went on to become, for a time, the largest independent bus operator in Western Europe. 

After bus operations were sold in 1989, The Garage was used in a number of different ways. It was in 2008 that Bartons plc hosted an innovative stage-show to celebrate the Centenury of the company, and from then the firm experimented with artistic uses of the garage buildings. 

In the years following, The Garage has delivered an impressive range of events, including Club Nights, Beer Festivals, Indoor and Drive in Cinemas, Modern Art Exhibitions, Food Festivals, Stand-Up Comedy, Silent Discos, Music Festivals, and artisan Markets. 

In 2025, the events are run by Barton Bros. Limited, the fifth generation of the Barton family to have worked at the site.