42 | Tees Business
Coatham celebrate 35 years of transporting Teessiders
Coatham Coaches has marked its 35th year by investing in a £ 180,000 state-of-the-art midi-coach.
Trusted Tees firm Coatham Coaches has marked its 35th year in style by fittingly adding a 35-seat, state-of-the-art midicoach to its fleet – complete with reclining leather seats, climate control, wi-fi and USB points in every seat.
The £ 180,000 Yutong TC9 adds to Coatham’ s growing cleaner, greener fleet of coaches, with frontline vehicles all under three years of age and engines that meet stringent Euro 6 emission levels.
The Euro 6 standard helps towards the government’ s targets for clean air zones, banning heavy-polluting vehicles from city centres, a scheme initially launched in London and now extended to cities such as Leeds, and proposed for 16 UK cities including Newcastle by 2020.
It was back in 1982 that, looking for a business to supplement his non-league football managerial career, Mick Hodgson“ stumbled” into a new role as a minibus operator, buying a second-hand 12-seat Mercedes 307. It began a journey that has seen Coatham Coaches evolve into a 16-strong fleet ranging from 19 to 57-seaters, and now with the addition of a fledgling taxi business.
Mick and wife Barbara built the foundations on which members of their extended family have gone on to build a successful business, whilst ensuring
the firm remained focused on providing modern coaches with a quality service, from the booking through to the final journey.
Managing director Mark Hodgson says:“ We take great pride in what we do- from the work that goes unseen such as our robust safety schedules, risk management and our proactive approach to our customers’ needs, to quality staff training and continual investment to make our fleet of vehicles not just the envy of our competitors but what Teessiders deserve.“ By investing in green vehicles such as the Yutong, we are future-proofing our fleet and can actively aid our corporate customers in reducing their carbon footprint. Euro 6 vehicles drastically cut the harmful emissions produced by coaches. As an example of what this means, soot has been reduced by 99 % and nitrous oxide by 81 %, so we are the ideal travel partner for heavy industries and renewable energy industries alike.”
For more details about Coatham Coaches email mark @ coathamcoaches. co. uk
Tees Café is a Lilli gem
Italian restaurateur Roberto Pittalis prides himself on creating the right culture and nurturing his staff at the ever popular Café Lilli. So getting national recognition in Waitrose’ s latest Good Food Guide – the bible for foodies and described as‘ the UK’ s most trusted and comprehensive restaurant handbook’ – comes as one of his proudest moments.
The guide, well-known in the restaurant industry, is a compilation of top eateries throughout Britain.
And Café Lilli is one of only three restaurants in the Tees area to make the cut in Waitrose’ s 2017 edition, along with The Bay Horse in Hurworth and The Raby Hunt in Darlington.
“ We’ re in good company!” smiles Sardinian Pittalis, who opened Café Lilli on Norton’ s busy High Street 13 years ago.
“ It’ s the first time we’ ve made the book, and it’ s probably the biggest accolade we’ ve had since the North East restaurant award in 2009, as Teesside’ s best restaurant.”
Roberto Pittalis, previously co-owner of Sassari, once of Durham’ s Sadler Street and later on Middlesbrough’ s Linthorpe Road, owes his latest success to his employees.
“ When people ask what is our secret, I think the most important thing for us now is the team,” he said.
“ My investment in the restaurant is all in people. I spend a huge amount of time and energy trying to find the right team.
“ Our managers now are on the same level as me, the rest is cosmetic.
“ What makes me really proud is the team is very eclectic and dynamic with ideas, they participate in the running of the business.
“ I think we have some future restaurateurs
Owner Roberto Pittalis outside Café Lilli in Norton, which has made Waitrose’ s Good Food Guide 2017.
here within our team. I love to pass on my skills and knowledge to them.”
Café Lilli, with its staff of 27, has built up a loyal customer base and welcomes new customers daily, offering a fusion of modern cuisine with an Italian influence.
Bookings aren’ t available after 7pm on weekends, but you can just pop in and have a drink whilst they prepare your table after this time. Bookings available all night Tuesday to Thursday. Call 01642 554422 or visit www. lillicafe. co. uk