'I still greet customers at the collection point to keep the turkey trot tradition going' - Dedicated Dudley worker celebrating her 50th Christmas with M&S
It's set to be a special festive season for a dedicated member of Marks & Spencer (M&S) as she gets ready to celebrate her golden anniversary of working there.
Yvonne Chatwin, Stock Controller at M&S’ Merry Hill store and Dudley local, is preparing to celebrate her 50th Christmas with M&S, having first started in 1976, when she was just 16 years old.
She met her future husband Paul at M&S’ former Dudley store, who joined three years later, with the couple tying the knot in 1987.
Yvonne then joined M&S Merry Hill, where she has worked in almost every department including 15 years in the people team and as a member of M&S’ Business Involvement Group, representing colleagues from across the business.
She recently helped to cut the ribbon to mark the full reveal of Merry Hill’s transformation and extension to more than 100,000 sq ft, ahead of plans to retire next year.
Yvonne said Christmas has always been a highlight, although some things have changed over the years since working in the Dudley store in the 1970s and 1980s.
She said: “We didn’t have an ordering system back then so on Christmas Eve customers would queue up outside the doors from 6am.
"We would line up and sing Christmas carols as everyone ran to the turkey aisle and it became a yearly tradition known as the ‘turkey trot’.
"Now with our hassle-free Christmas Food To Order, allowing customers to order ahead and pick a collection slot, I still greet customers at the collection point to keep the turkey trot tradition going.”
Yvonne’s career highlights include first starting work at M&S Dudley, launching the Merry Hill store in 1990 and the renewal of the store this year, which brought together four additional units to bring together M&S Food, Fashion, Home and Beauty under one roof.
She said: “I’m really proud of the store’s transformation, you walk into the store with a smile on your face, it feels fresh and it’s such a nice environment for customers to shop in.
“M&S is a part of me, I met my husband here and both of our children have worked at the store over the years.
"Now when I’m not working, I’m always bringing my grandchildren in.
"For me, the best thing about working at M&S is the friendships that you make.
"The people are really there for you, and I’ve made some great friends who will stay in my life after I’ve retired next summer.”
Yvonne’s husband Paul also said of her achievement: “I’m proud of Yvonne on so many levels.
"On a professional level, I am so proud of how willing she has been to embrace change.
"She has moved into several different roles over the years at M&S and the store has changed so much, but she doesn’t bat an eyelid. She jumps right in.”
Tom Hawthorne, Store Manager at M&S Merry Hill, said: “Yvonne is a much-loved member of our team here and congratulations to her on a fantastic milestone.
"I’m sure our customers will spot her spreading festive cheer over the next few weeks throughout the store.”
