A COFFEE shop inside a classic car dealership is celebrating its fourth successful year with a special event to mark the occasion.

Ryan Lockett opened Ashley Automotive in Wallisdown alongside his sister Kiera Lockett, who opened the “weird and wonderful café” known as Lockett Fuel.

Both businesses opened in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. The pair transformed the old Kwik-Fit building on Wallisdown Road into a modern display room and trendy coffee shop.

Owner of Lockett Fuel, Kiera said: “We want to celebrate the fact that we have survived this difficult time in hospitality and give back to the people who have supported us.

“We’ve been running for four years, through very tough times, but it is nice to know that we have quite a loyal, regular base of customers that can keep us going.”

(Image: Ryan Lockett)

On Saturday, September 27, Kiera said Lockett Fuel want to put on a special treat for their customers, by putting on an event to celebrate their success.

They will be opening at 8am with selection of ‘freebies’ including, buy one get one coffee, 10% off food orders, as well as a branded give away featuring including Lockett Fuel tote bags and other goodies.

Kiera said: “I am excited to give back to the people who have given to us in the last four years.”

Because Lockett Fuel is situated inside a classic car dealership, Kiera said they have car enthusiasts and bikers travelling from all over the country, and she called it a ‘hub for the motoring community.’

(Image: Ryan Lockett)

Ryan, who is passionate about classic cars, is a third-generation car dealer who has a collection of around 70 vehicles, some of which he keeps at the showroom and the rest at a nearby warehouse.

He said: “I’m interested in classic, unusual cars, things that need to be on display.

“The cars I look for need to be in really good condition, despite sometimes being 60 years old and have something about them.”

Ryan said people travel from all over the world to buy his cars, including Dubai, Germany and France.

“People come to me knowing what they want, I am not a car salesman, these cars sell themselves,” he added.