A legendary mechanic who is one of the most recognisable garage owners in County Durham has celebrated his 75th birthday - but says he'll "keep going until he drops".
Brian Cain is one of Spennymoor's best-known business owners, having clocked up 40 years of service to his Treadmark Tyres business. The family garage, featuring Brian’s son Bradley and daughter-in-law Amy, have been experts in HGV, Plant and Agricultural tyres and repairs since 1982.
However, despite calls for him to live life in the slow lane - after also donating a kidney to his son in recent years – Brian is promising to carry on for the foreseeable future.
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Despite just turning 75, Brian said that he’s got years in him before ever contemplating hanging up his garage overalls and wheel wrench. He said: "I’m going nowhere. I’ve got no intention of retiring any time soon. I’m having too much fun!"
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."
Brian, who posted a turnover of £1 million in 2021, has since signed up to become a partner with the First Stop network to grow his business further. He is looking to attract more car owners to his garage and believes that by joining First Stop, he’ll be able to do just that.
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 award-winning 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 to do just that, with more investment in new signage and state-of-the-art garage equipment. 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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