St Helens’ Best Independent Business goes the extra mile for customers

St Helens Star readers voted in their hundreds over the weekend in our latest Best of 2023 competition – Best Independent Shop or Business - and Stone Tyres was the runaway winner.

Each week, we will be searching for the best St Helens has to offer in different categories and we’ve given out 11 awards for 2023.

The winners so far:

Best for Hair – Hair by Alice Michelle

Best for Pies – Blackburn’s

Best for Nails – Kreative Kirsty

Best for Roast Dinner – The Brown Edge Pub

Best for Cocktails – The Townhouse

Best for Breakfast – Shakey J’s

Best for Fitness – Ashley-James Ward

Best for Fish and Chips – Paul’s Fishbar

Best for Tattoos – White Rabbit Tattoo Studio

Best for Pizza – Dial-A-Pizza

Best for Pets – The Dog House

Voting for St Helens’ Best for Dessert is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Beauty.

Next on the list was the search for St Helen’s Best Independent Shop or Business – to mark Independence Week and #ukindieday – and Stone Tyres took the latest Best of 2023 crown.

John Stone owner of Stone Tyres (Image: Image supplied)

John Stone opened the business in January 2016 starting off in a small council unit on Moorfoot Road in Parr before relocating to College Street in St Helens as tenants in 2018 and buying the premises two years ago.

John has lived in St Helens for the past 20 years but moved to Altrincham a year ago and he now commutes to work every day – 40 minutes each way.

John, who is 43, said: “We offer a range of tyres to suit every vehicle and every budget including premium, mid-range and budget tyres.

“We also offer a mobile fitting service through our sister company Gorilla Tyres.

“We have many USPs including free puncture repairs for life on every tyre we sell, no credit check pay monthly scheme, interest free with guaranteed acceptance to help spread the cost of the new tyres, which is very popular given the current cost of living crisis.

“We strive to give outstanding service every time and this is reflected in the fact that we are the only tyre dealer in the country to have more than 1,250 Google reviews and a five-star rating.”

A customer's vehicle that John and the team have been working their magic on (Image: Image supplied)

He added: “I’ve been a taxi driver and a bouncer and had another business in 2007 with 52 staff nationwide selling phone internet and broadband.

“I also have a property development business but I spotted a gap in the market for a business offering outstanding service at a reasonable price, putting the customer first every time and giving back to the local community.”

So what do customers think about Stone Tyres? Why did they think they deserve our latest title?

John said: “Pretty much every customer that comes to us is having a bad day.

“They’ve either had a puncture or a blow out, an MOT fail or got a bald tyre.

“It gives great satisfaction when a customer comes to us distressed or in a bad mood and they leave with a smile on their face.

“There’s also the added benefit that we are keeping people safe on the roads.”

Stone Tyres is a three-times winner of national tyre retailer of the year with Tyresafe, which is a leading tyre safety charity.

They also sponsor Portico Panthers rugby team supplying kits and have paid for two coaches to be trained with St Helens Bees Netball Club.

Their sales staff don’t have monthly targets and can focus on providing excellent customer service and they’re prepared to drive to the wholesaler to source particular tyres while you wait, something which other companies aren’t willing to do.

John said: “When we found out we’d made the shortlist for St Helens’ Best Independent Shop or Business we were excited but also nervous.

“We were up against some tough competition with so many fantastic businesses in and around St Helens.

“When we heard we’d won we were over the moon.

“It’s great to see the hard work that our staff put in on a daily basis get such great recognition.

“I may own the business but the way the staff look after our customers is the real reason for our success.”

He added: “I’d like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who voted for us on the St Helens Star website and Facebook and also those people who filled in the newspaper entry showing their support.

“It’s amazing to see so many people willing to show their support for an independent business – it’s truly humbling.”

For more details go to facebook.com/Stonetyres