SUPER SEVEN CELEBRATE SILVER BIRTHDAY AT LEEKES CROSS HANDS

Seven long-serving staff at Leekes Cross Hands will be celebrating silver anniversaries of their own at the popular retail store which first opened its doors in 1984.

With a total of 175 years service between them, Paul Heyel, Chris Rees, Gareth Rowlands, Anne Hinkin, Sheila Williams, Aileen Pyle and Steve Morgan will be giving the loudest cheer at the store’s silver anniversary celebrations on the 23rd-25th May.

Award-winning retailer Leekes is celebrating 25 years of trading at its Cross Hands store in 2009, with eyes firmly fixed on the reaching its golden anniversary.

The store, based at Cross Hands Business Parc in Carmarthenshire currently has a turnover of £18m and employs more than 130 personnel. During its 25 years the store has welcomed more than 10 million customers through its doors.

Sheila Williams, Home Accessories Department Manager at Leekes Cross Hands said: “We like to think there is something very special out this particular store. I certainly feel it, that’s why I have been here for so many years. We have a very friendly team of colleagues and a great atmosphere in-store which is something our customers pick up on.

“Leekes continues to be a big part of this community. I can remember when it opened, customers said they wanted to buy things for delivery just so they that they could have a Leekes van parked outside their house! It has a very strong reputation in this area and is a name people trust.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 25 years so far. Leekes has looked after me very well during that time, there is still a strong family feeling to this business which has been maintained throughout its growth, success and modernisation. To know it is still owned and run by the Leeke family gives it a unique mark and in this current climate a sense of stability and tradition which reassures people and staff.”

Gareth Rowlands, Home Improvements Department Manager at the store has one of best work attendance records in the Leekes group. He’s only had one absence in his 25 years and that was in his first year. He said: “I started on the lorries with Leekes in the early days delivering building materials which was hard physical work and our schedule was so busy we rarely stopped.

“I really enjoyed getting out and meeting people. There are great memories – I remember one delivery in particular to a lovely farm house about 15 miles north of Cross Hands. I was delivering a large amount of materials which was going to take a long time, so when offered a cup of tea for once I said yes. I was amazed though, when our customer brought out a bone china Royal Albert tea set complete with sugar bowl, milk jug and home-made Welsh cakes!

“I always said that if I enjoyed my work I would stay. I think reaching 25 years is a real achievement in the current business climate and is something that we should be excited about and proud of.”

Leekes will be congratulating all seven colleagues with a special presentation next month to thank them for their contribution to the store’s success and in recognition of their long service within the business.