A retailer through-and-through, dedicated to the service of Retford – long-term Retford Business Forum member, Ann Holmes, from Edinburgh Woollen Mill, retires on 30th November 2024.
Ann’s decision to pursue a career in retailing started in 1961, sat on a tram watching, with her mother, the re-building of a C&A store in Sheffield opposite Marples Hotel, as part of the post-war reconstruction following the wartime bombing of much of the city in 1940.
The original store had opened on 13th March 1932, and the new store opened in 1962. In July 1964 Ann started her first job, working 42 hours a week and being paid £37 shillings and six pence (equivalent to £1.88p today) a week. Her position was a junior in the ladies’ department. Ann loved the job and made many life-long friends.
Ann left C&A in 1969, when she and Douglas got married and they moved to Lincoln for Douglas’ work. Then they had two children. Later, Ann did a job cleaning as this could work around her children followed by work in Lincoln’s Smiths crisps factory on nights. Ann did this for three years in the quality control department, fitting it in with their young family.
In 1986, Ann returned to C&A, this time at Lincoln Water Side South, starting as a Christmas temp. She was happy to stay on after Christmas as a sales advisor. Ann worked her way up to Store Leader and as it was a ‘triple store’, it covered Hull and Grimsby as well, so she could find herself working in any one of the three at any time. The Lincoln store closed its doors on 19th January 2001 when C&A ceased trading in England and the staff were made redundant.
However, this was the first day of the rest of Ann’s life and, on 21st January 2001, Ann started at The Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Lincoln as a supervisor. Ann soon settled into the job, and by July of that year she was made the Manager at the Grantham store. In 2002, Ann was moved to Market Harborough, a brand-new store, where she was promoted to Manager. This store was 70 miles from her home, but Ann loved it there, and, as it was a new store, they had to promote it by doing lots of fashion shows, coffee mornings, and work for many local charities.
Overall, Ann has worked in forty stores and, on the move again, on 4th December 2003, Ann started at the Retford store.
Ann has a great number of loyal customers, who have all become friends. The team at Edinburgh Woollen Mill has enjoyed running many coffee mornings and many fashion shows over the years. The team has had the privilege of working with the Royal British Legion and has supported its work over the years. Ann is grateful to everyone she has worked with, at Grove Street Church, St Swithun’s Church, Bole Church, Totally Locally, Miracles to Believe In for children with Autism, Macmillan, Breast Cancer Care, Marie Curie, WI, Mothers Union, Retford Lions, and Retford Business Forum.
Ann has been amazed how generous the people of Retford have been and has been delighted to work in Reford and serve its people. Ann has had a great team at Retford past and present and it is with great sadness that it is time to say goodbye. Retford will miss her – happy retirement Ann.
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