- Yvonne recently cut the ribbon on M&S’ transformed Merry Hill store and even met her husband Paul while both worked at M&S
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 valued 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 over 100,000 sq ft, ahead of plans to retire next year.
Christmas over the years
Christmas has always been a highlight for Yvonne, although some things have changed over the years since working in the Dudley store in the 1970s and 1980s: “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 – 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 favourite M&S festive product is the classic Christmas pudding, she says: “You just can’t beat it and you have to have your pudding hot, with cold Madagascan Vanilla Luxury Custard on top; that’s very important.”
Standout moments from a 50-year career
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.
“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.” Yvonne says.
Reflecting on her career milestone this year, she adds: “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, added: “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 throughout the store.”
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