The old fashioned red telephone box on the forecourt of Lees Village Service Station in Oldham harks back to a lost era - when customer service meant more than it sometimes does today. This is a local garage that is rolling back the years - with a friendly pump attendant who will fill up your tank, check the oil and water, put air in the tyres of your car and then send you on your way with a smile.
The 'customer first' ethos is the legacy of the late owner Frank Pullen, who passed away almost a year ago aged 81, following a three-year battle with cancer. While filling stations and supermarkets have been almost exclusively self-service for the best part of 30 years, Frank's daughter, Sue Collinge remains steadfastly determined to buck the trend by continuing a forecourt tradition.
"My dad was known as 'Mr Lees' in the village," explained Sue, 59. "He believed in serving customers and helping them as much as he could with a smile on his face. He enjoyed it so much he was working on the forecourt until weeks before he died. After taking over the business following his passing, I have vowed to uphold those values."
