SYSTON TOWN NEWS
A&AMORTGAGESLtd
© 1996
ISSN 2045-0974
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SYSTON’S ONLY MULTI AWARD WINNING INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL.27 No 10 NOVEMBER 2023
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
A Sad Farewell To Wilko’s
Our picture shows front row standing L-R: Lisa B., Burim M., Rachel C.,Jane T., Joy E., Michelle S., Michael M.(Store Manager), Louise S.,Molly S. Back Row L- R: Shannon M., Anita B., Gary M., Irene R., Joanne B., Tracy P., Rachel N., Juliette H., Angie F., Rachel C., Maria H., Deena W. Kneeling in front left: Leanne R., Right: Sue B.
On Thursday 28th September, Syston gave a sad farewell to a much loved store that has been in Syston since the 1930s. Your editor was invited to go and record this very sad closure of a store that many in Syston have used all their lives. Many of the staff in the photograph above and the following people who unfortunately couldn’t be there, have worked most of their adult lives in this store or across the Wilkinson group. Those missing include Amy G., Kelly M., Sharon P., Chris R., Di W., George B., Mahlee B., James F., Alison R., Rebecca B. 23 out of the staff named and pictured above had more than 10 years service, the longest serving one had 41years. Wilko’s had a very low turn over of staff which reflected the
founder’s ethos of hard working and giving customers quality products at affordable prices. The history of Wilkinson’s was on display in the store in its final days and was a great record of the growth of the business from one shop in Charnwood Street to over 400 across the country. On behalf of everyone in Syston we would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff who have worked in the Syston store since it opened in 1939. We are going to miss this wonderful store and we wish you all the very best in the future and hope you all find employment soon. Syston’s Melton Road will not be same without Wilko’s and their wonderful staff. There follows on page 2 a poem written by Amy Glover, pictured right, as she was unavailable for the picture left, with Store Manager Michael Marshall and Burim Malku who made up the management team at Syston. Wilko to me by Lisa Biddles. Wilko is where I have worked for the last 21 years and two days. It’s also where I intended to stay working until I retire, though I am only 55. It’s not just a shop or place of work, it’s a place where you meet lots of people and have an extended family that are there for you through thick and thin. Some I have known for many years, and some for not so long. Continues on page 2
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