A POPULAR independent Isle of Wight family business that specialised in mobile tyre fitting, has decided to close down after a relatively short, but successful period of trading.

Tyres of Wight, based in Colwell Lane, Freshwater, was established by Chris Plant in 2017, a year after he moved with his family to the Island.

Chris, who provided a mobile tyre fitting service covering all areas of the Isle of Wight, said he has put family first, by folding the company and becoming a lorry driver, to spend more time with his wife and children.

The closure of the company follows suit after Barney's Tyres in Newport shut a few months ago. 

He has been inundated with messages of goodwill, which have flooded onto his company's Facebook page.

They include messages from the emergency services, local busineses, charities and many Islanders.

In his final heartfelt post on the company Facebook page, he posted: "With a little lady soon arriving, we think this is the right time to say our goodbye.

"Family is so important and I've missed out so much due to the hours I work — and I'm not getting younger.

"I started tyre fitting at the age of 15 and have absolutely loved every minute of it.

"I have met some amazing people along the way — and some even more amazing people whilst working on the Island! Your support has been truly humbling.

"I always put work first, so now I think it's the perfect time to make this change and begin new adventures!

"Following in the old man's footsteps, I'm now currently in the process of renewing my CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) to go and drive a lorry again.

"May I take this chance to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. You have been the best!"

Among the many Chris has fitted tyres for, they include some of the emergency services on the Island.

Mark Birch, who runs Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, posted: "I can not thank you enough, for your support when we needed help. You have been another emergency service to us, and at no cost."

Isle of Wight Search and Rescue added: "Thank you for all your support to WightSAR, looking after our search vehicles so well over the years. You really made a difference."

Chris has been called in by the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service to keep their ambulances and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust with their rapid response and other medical vehicles on the road too. 

They also helped organisations like Festimed, to keep their rapid response vehicles on the road. 

Charitable organisations the company supported included West Wight Men in Sheds. The said: "Thank you for you support and donations over the years we have been running."

Tyres of Wight has also come to the rescue of many companies on the Isle of Wight, ranging from Steve Porter Transport Group, Wightfibre, Bartlett's Service Station, Isle of Wight Distribution, Island Ales and various farms.

They also helped the multi-nationals stay afloat, from the likes of the Royal Mail to the big supermaket chains.

They also kept the Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads, Biffa, Amey .... and even the British Army .... going!

Isle of Wight County Press: Tyres of Wight van and a British Army logistic support in Aldershot. vehicle.Tyres of Wight van and a British Army logistic support in Aldershot. vehicle. (Image: Tyres of Wight)