Emotional farewell for Woolies' staff
Dec 31 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal
EMOTIONAL workers at Woolworths stores in the North were drowning their sorrows at farewell parties last night.
Stores in Morpeth, Alnwick and Whitley Bay were among a further 150 across the UK to close yesterday – with the rest due to follow early next week.
Everything – including fixtures and fittings – was being sold off at hugely discounted prices in the run-up to the chain’s final collapse, which will leave 27,000 workers facing redundancy.
For two employees at the Morpeth store, yesterday’s final day of trading was especially poignant for different reasons.
Shop assistant Susan Chrisp, 48, was fighting back the tears as she finished work for the final time at the Bridge Street store after 32 years’ service.
And store manager Scott Wallace, 37, has been made redundant for the second time in a year, after losing his previous job when retail chain Kwik Save collapsed.
Last night they joined their 16 colleagues for a night out to say goodbye and mark the demise of the profitable store, which has been a cornerstone of Morpeth’s high street since 1932.
Susan, who lives with her husband Martin in Widdrington, started working at the store when she left school in 1976, and has been there ever since, apart from short breaks to have three daughters.
Yesterday she said: “I am trying really hard not to cry today, but it is going to be a big change in my life and a big miss after 32 years.
“The customers have been lovely in the last few days and have really kept us going. We will all be out together tonight trying to enjoy ourselves, but after that I will have to see what other jobs are available out there. It will be a big change because I’ve done nothing else since leaving school.
“What I will miss most is the team and colleagues I have worked with. They are just like a big second family to me.”
Scott, who took over as manager at Morpeth two months ago, said: “I only joined Woolworths nine months ago after being made redundant by Kwik Save so this is the second time in a year for me. I was looking forward to 20 years and a decent career with Woolworths, and it is a great shame that won’t happen.
“I really feel for the staff, and people like Susan who has more than 30 years’ service here. Every single colleague has worked to the end and been absolutely top class.
“Our regular customers have been lovely to the girls, bringing in bottles of wine and chocolates for them and giving money to have a drink. ”
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