CUSTOMERS at a popular Backwell garage bade a sad farewell to a couple who have been a familiar sight there for almost 40 years.
Farleigh Garage owners John and Daphne Keel will be having a well-deserved rest after 38 years, selling the company, specialising in servicing, repairs and MOTs, as a going concern.
John, aged 68, who served his mechanics apprenticeship in Bristol when he left school at 15, has seen many changes to the Farleigh Road business over the years, including when it stopped selling petrol five years ago due to drivers preferring to use supermarkets to fill up their tanks.
He said: “I’m looking forward to spending more time riding my motorbike.
“I’ve gone well past retirement age so I’m glad to be putting my feet up.”
John and Daphne, aged 64, who managed the accounts, will return to their hometown of Nailsea to enjoy their retirement.
A former customer said: “We will miss the personal touch they provided like serving petrol to all the old ladies in the village who had to learn to do it themselves when it stopped selling it.”
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