(Image: G.W HOLMES & SON)
A family-run garage in Bishop Auckland is winning customers from across County Durham with their low fuel prices.
G W Holmes & Son, in Etherley Moor, Bishop Auckland, has been trading since 1947 and is now run by its third generation.
Thomas Holmes manages the garage each day, he said, with his mother and wife managing the garage shop and his father ordering their fuel.
Mr Holmes said: "We've been here since 1947, three generations.
On to our 4th generation now, which is my little boy."
Holmes said his son, who is eight, is already interested in joining the business when he is older.
The garage recently posted a video on social media to thank customers for their continued support, which sparked its most loyal fans to share their own praise of the Bishop Auckland business.
It also showed the prices at the pumps at the time of filming (October 14). Unleaded was priced at 167.7p a litre, diesel was 191.7p and super unleaded E5 was 179.9p.
The post led to comments from people who said they regularly travelled from Consett, Durham and Newton Aycliffe to use the garage's cheap fuel.
Customers also praised the Holmes family's customer service. One customer said: "I use this garage daily during the week, always great prices, staff very friendly excellent service."
Another customer wrote: "I have used your pumps since the pandemic, your prices were fair when others were not.
"With prices being much higher now, I still come to you. I figure I am only spending what you saved me in the past."
Mr Holmes said the garage being family-run meant it can keep prices down, lacking the costs linked to larger businesses.
One customer commented on the garage's prices compared to others: "If this chap can keep the prices down, why not every other fuel station?"
Customers have praised G W Holmes & Son for their efforts to reduce fuel prices more than other nearby garages. (Image: G.W HOLMES & SON)
Mr Holmes also said customers and staff had built close relationships over many years, and that the family were grateful for the continued support from locals.
Fuel is checked and ordered daily, allowing the family to pass on savings to their customers when possible, Holmes added. The garage’s sales volume also helps it receive better prices from its supplier.
Mr Holmes said: "If we do get a saving, we pass it straight on, whereas the supermarkets, they get a saving, but they don't pass it on, they just keep it for themselves."
He said the business’s main aim is to continue to deliver the lowest prices they can.