Henlys started life as a Jaguar and Rover dealer. Its former premises gave their name to Henly's Corner, the junction of the North Circular Road, A1 and Finchley Road in Hampstead Garden Suburb. In 1985 Henlys was bought by the Hawley Group, owners of Coleman Milne, makers of funeral hearses. Hawley Group formed a Motoring Division comprising Henlys and Coleman Milne. In 1989, Henlys and Coleman Milne were sold to the Plaxton Group, the bus and coach manufacturer based in Scarborough, Yorkshire. In May 1992, the Plaxton Group PLC was renamed as Henlys Group PLC.