These four women have worked at the same Sheffield shoe shop for a total of 100 years

They say if you love your job you never work a day in your life – and that must be true for four Sheffield shoe shop staff members who have clocked up 100 years of service between them.
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Clare Green, Angela Hirst, Sharon McDonald and Christine Woffindin have collectively worked at Charles Clinkard, Meadowhall shopping centre, for a century.

Clare, who works on stock and the shop floor, and Angela, who is in the children’s department, both joined the company in 1990 and have marked 30 years of service, while Sharon, who is a manager, and Christine, who works on adult shoes, are celebrating 20 years.

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Christine said they have become friends throughout the years they have worked together and now socialise together outside of work.

Left to right: Christine Woffindin, Clare Green, Angela Hirst and Sharon McDonald. Photo by Roger MoodyLeft to right: Christine Woffindin, Clare Green, Angela Hirst and Sharon McDonald. Photo by Roger Moody
Left to right: Christine Woffindin, Clare Green, Angela Hirst and Sharon McDonald. Photo by Roger Moody

She said: “It is just a really nice place to work. The staff all get on very well and it’s a friendly place to work both in terms of colleagues and customers.

“We are friends as well as workmates. Clare and another member of staff, Tracy Shaw, went to Iceland recently to mark their 50th birthdays. We have regular customers who love to come in and see us and say we’re part of the furniture.”

The women were each given gift vouchers for stores of their choice as a reward for their long service.

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Charles Clinkard, company managing director, said: “We pride ourselves on customer service and employ fantastic staff to ensure that is delivered. In turn, we make sure they are happy with us.

“It is a proven fact that treating staff with respect and providing a great place to work leads to better staff retention, and I’m not sure you can get better than this.

“With 100 years between them, it is a great achievement for Clare, Angela, Sharon and Christine. It is a pleasure to be able to celebrate milestone achievements.”

Mr Clinkard said their achievements are made all the more remarkable because of the challenges they have overcome with the changing face of retail. He said: “The retail industry has changed a lot in the past 20 and 30 years, with the advent of online shopping but many of our customers prefer the personal touch we offer. Parents also like to ensure their children have correctly fitted shoes and know they can trust Charles Clinkard to look after that.”