A County Durham mechanic, who has donated a kidney to his son, has celebrated his 75th birthday – and vowed to "keep on going until I drop".
Brian Cain of Treadmark Tyres, Spennymoor, has become a bit of a "local legend" among truckers and motorists throughout, during the 40 years he has run his business.
The family garage, including Brian’s son Bradley and daughter-in-law Amy, has specialised in HGV, plant & agricultural tyres and repairs since 1982.
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But despite calls to live life in the slow lane, he’s not only promising to carry on for the foreseeable future but has signed up to become a partner with the First Stop network to grow his business further.
Brian, who posted a turnover of £1 million in 2021, is looking to attract more car owners to his garage.
Treadmark Tyres will now benefit from in-store and digital marketing support, a full online e-shop for tyre orders, service enquiries & MOT bookings, industry leading staff training and access to the Bridgestone range of tyres, along with 24/7 business support from First Stop’s team of consultants.
Brian said: “We are already seeing a big difference since we became partners with First Stop.
“We just love meeting customers and giving them the best possible service possible. Each customer is a special person whatever vehicle they’re in, and we’ll always make them feel welcome here.”
Treadmark Tyres has invested thousands of pounds in a new waiting area, with more investment in new signage and garage equipment.
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Brian, who also gave years of service to Consett Iron Company before embarking on a career in the automotive industry, tragically lost his other son Lee in a car accident in 2016.
He said that his memory lived on in so many ways, and making Treadmark Tyres as successful as it could possibly be was a fitting tribute to him.
He said: “Lee was so well liked by everyone who came across him. We’re a family business and Lee’s memory lives in all of us. We’re doing very well at the moment and I’d like to think that this would make him very happy.”
Despite just turning 75, Brian said that he’s got years in him before ever contemplating hanging up his garage overalls and wheel wrench.
“I’m going nowhere,” he said. “I’ve got no intention of retiring any time soon. I’m having too much fun!”
First Stop’s Retail Business Consultant Nick Salt said it was brilliant to have Brian and the Treadmark Tyres team on board.
He said: “Brian and the Cain family are so well known and so well loved in the North East.
"They do business the right way and take huge pride in giving each customer a memorable service. To welcome them to the First Stop network is something we’re all thrilled about and we can’t wait to support the Treadmark team in lots of ways in the future.”
For more information about Treadmark Tyres, contact 01388 819933 or visit Treadmark Tyres (firststop.co.uk).
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