ELECTRICIAN Mike Croughton is so devoted to the job that he is even happy to carry out repairs while he’s supposed to be away on holiday.

Setting up JAK Appliance Repairs back in 2012, the Orford-based company has gone on to establish a loyal base of customers during the past seven years.

But Mike is still a one-man band, repairing white goods across the town.

His clients are known to call him up for a friendly chat, and he even helped one customer to fix their washing machine by talking them through the process over the phone while he was sat on the beach on his holidays.

Going above and beyond is exactly why JAK Appliance Repairs was named Top Trader in the Warrington Guardian’s Customer Service Awards.

Mike said: “We repair everything from washing machines and tumble dryers to things like fridges and cookers.

“I set up the company with my partner seven years ago and it has just spread through word of mouth – I get quite a lot of recommendations, which is nice.

“Some of the feedback you get is really lovely – and some of the customers, usually the older ladies, even phone me up now and again just for a chat.

“It’s awesome to win something like this to be honest – it’s overwhelming.

“A lot of the other companies who were nominated in this category have got quite a few other people working for them but I’m working on my own, so to be recognised like this is really great.”

Customers praised Mike for his work ethic in nominating him and JAK Appliance Repairs for the Customer Service Awards.

And he beat off plasterers and bathroom showrooms to claim the Top Trader accolade.

One nomination added: “He will come and fix anything he can – washing machines, tumble dryers or anything electrical.

“And if he can’t fix it he will have something that he can replace it with.”

THE NOMINEES >

  • BM Bathrooms
  • MB Plastering
  • Ocean Bathrooms
  • JAK Appliance Repairs

HIGHLY COMMENDED > Ocean Bathrooms

Warrington Guardian:

FOR Wayne Stockton, providing a homeowner with their dream bathroom is what it’s all about.

Fifteen years after setting up Ocean Bathrooms, all the hard work is paying off – with business busier than ever.

The Padgate bathroom designers and installers was nominated for its ‘immaculate work and service with a smile'.

Wayne said: “I started the business from scratch back in 2004.

“In the first year we were doing one bathroom a month, and now we’re probably doing five or six per month.

“At times it’s been back-breaking, and in the first couple of years there were more reasons to pack it in than to carry on.

“We had tough times during the recession, but we stuck with it – grafting, keeping the customer happy and treating every job like it’s your last.

“When you hand a bathroom over to the customer, you can’t put a price on it when you see their expressions and joy.

“It’s outstanding to be recognised like this, just to be nominated by your customers is an accolade in itself.”