Les Pringle was a corrupt builder briefly employed by Alf Roberts. In 1985 Alf decided to extend the premises of the Corner Shop. To do this he would have to buy at least some of the land occupied by 13 Coronation Street from its owner Hilda Ogden. Pringle tried to intimidate Hilda into selling the house by falsely telling her that the roof was in need of major repairs. Unwilling to sell a house that wasn't safe but unable to afford the repairs that she believed necessary, Hilda became very upset.