A staple Lees village business is set to close early one evening to allow the staff to go for a Christmas meal.

Lees Village Service Station will close at 6pm on Friday, December 8, in order to allow staff to go for a Christmas meal.

The business has been run by Sue Collinge’s family for decades. Sue took over the business after her father, Frank Pullen, passed away at the age of 81 in 2021.

Earlier this year, the petrol station was left starstruck after TV cameras took over the business to film the next series of Brassic, with Michelle Keegan and Bronagh Gallagher acting out scenes on camera.

Sign up to our newsletters to get the latest stories sent straight to your inbox.

Speaking to The Oldham Times, Sue said: “We don’t open late, we close at 7.30pm anyway, but I just think it’s important that we all get together, especially as it’s been a busy year with the Co-Op closing and one thing and another.

“We’ve had good days and bad days. We’ve had some customers that have been absolutely horrible when their parcels haven’t been there or what have you, but we’ve also had some amazing customers.”

Social media reaction to the news of the early closure was extremely positive, with one customer asking how she could contribute to the party.

Sue said: “It was a lovely comment, and I just said to her ‘Thank you very much, but no I’m paying for the Christmas do, that’s my treat for the staff’.

“We do have a tip box that we put out for all the staff to have, it’s never been anything to do with me and dad, it’s always been split between the staff. Everybody works so hard, we are so lucky to have an absolutely fantastic team of staff, they’re brilliant.

“I couldn’t have carried on, after dad died, without them. Definitely not; so, it’s only right and proper that we go and have a good night out.”

Follow The Oldham Times on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads.

Sue says the night out will be kept local, with the team planning on visiting the Spinners Arms in Springhead.

The pub won the ‘Community Pub of the Year’ award at this year’s JW Lees Pub of the Year Awards ceremony.

Sue continued: “[Landlords] Mick and his wife are a lovely, lovely couple, and all 17 of us will be heading up there for Christmas shenanigans!”

Commenters on Facebook were supportive of the altered opening hours.

David Chapman said: “Fantastic, hope you have a lovely time.”

Paula Butterworth added: “Well deserved. Enjoy x.”

Lees Village Service Station can be found on St John Street, Lees. As well as petrol, the shop sells a range of goods including fruit and veg, soft drinks, chocolate treats, wrapping paper and other grocery items.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.