Two women are celebrating working for an incredible 50 YEARS at the Marks & Spencer store in Southport town centre.
Customer Assistants June Blakeley and Pamela Till both joined the team in 1972 and have played a hugely important role in the M&S store on Chapel Street in Southport town centre over the years.
From working in almost every department, from womenswear and kidswear, to food and administration, June and Pam have seen major changes in store at M&S throughout their combined century of exemplary service.
From the transition from cash and cheques to the birth of automated tills, online shopping and the Sparks loyalty app – June and Pam have seen it all.
And for Pam it even runs in the family, with her daughter, Emily, now also working as a Visual Manager for M&S.
To celebrate their 50th anniversaries June and Pam’s Southport store colleagues organised a surprise celebration to congratulate and thank them for all their hard work over the years.
It was the perfect send-off for June, who has now retired having hit the impressive 50 year milestone.
Pamela Till, Store Admin Customer Assistant at M&S Southport, said:
“I feel really privileged to have had my career here. M&S has always made me feel safe, supported and part of a family.
“If I look back to when I joined and where we are now, it’s incredible how far we’ve come.
“I have such fond memories of adding little moments of joy to our customers’ lives over the years.
“Seeing my daughter Emily grow up and join the store has been wonderful to watch too.”
June Blakeley, Clothing and Home Customer Assistant, said:
“I had been brought up with M&S and I felt so lucky to be a part of it from the moment I started.
“When I first joined, one of my colleagues had her 25 year party in store and I remember thinking wow, I want that!
“So, I did 25 years, then 40 and I can’t believe I’ve now hit 50.
“I enjoyed every single minute of my time and my store colleagues will always be my extended family.”
Adam Whittaker, Store Manager at M&S Southport said:
“June and Pam have been such an integral part of M&S Southport over the past 50 years.
“Attentive and charming to both customers and colleagues, they really have been the heart of our M&S Southport family.
“We wish June all the best for her retirement and can’t wait to see her back in store as a customer.”
For all the latest updates on M&S Southport follow the store on Facebook and be the first to hear exciting product news. To find out more about working for M&S, and the roles and training available, visit www.jobs.marksandspencer.com
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