Loyal employees celebrate 25 Years with local retailer

Helping commemorate a quarter of a century of trading in the beautiful Welsh town of Knighton, loyal employees of independent retailer Harry Tuffins marked the occasion by thanking Irene Goodall and Joan Thomas, who together have worked for the company for over 50 years. Both Irene and Joan have notched up and astounding 25 and 27 years respectively at the Knighton store, and who amazingly are just two of an extended list of long-serving Knighton staff. Ruby Delves, daughter of company founder Harry Tuffin said: “With wonderful staff we celebrate a milestone. This month we mark 25 years of trading at our Knighton store and I would like to offer my personal thanks to both Irene and Joan for their wonderful friendship and for the many years of valued service they have given to the company over the years.”

Company owners Ruby and husband Roy, joined staff and shoppers to take a trip down memory lane. Over the years the community has seen the store and petrol station develop and grow and in 1987 the company built and opened what was and still is the only multi-story car park in Mid Wales. Popular with locals, visitors and holiday makers alike, today’s Knighton store occupies an incredible 28,000 sq. ft. of retail selling space offering a wide variety of goods and all under one roof; from branded groceries, household items, garden shrubs, coal and petrol to prize winning fresh local meat and produce via on-site butchers Andrew Pugh and Son and up-to-the-minute hairstyling by local hairdressers, Heather’s Coiffeur.

Knighton Manager for the past 8 years, Neil Eldridge, added: “Because it was the 80’s and the era of shoulder pads, tight trousers and curly hair, we’re going to hold a themed week with all the staff, Irene and Joan included, dressing up in the style of the day. Good fun and hot fashion, a real winner!” Said Roy: “Both Irene and Joan have worked at Knighton since the very beginning so we felt it appropriate we mark the occasion. We opened our first store in Knighton in 1981, which was on the site of the town’s old cinema and Ruby and I still remember working alongside Joan on the tills. Two years later and we needed to move again, moving to our current location 25 years ago. Joan, Irene, Ruby and I have many fond memories. “Also moving meant we could offer greater consumer choice as many of our customers travelled and still do travel, up to twenty-miles to visit Knighton. Irene and Joan, you were with us then and you are still with us today. Thank you!”

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