Sheffield M&S store celebrates 70th anniversary

The interior of the Fargate store in 1949

M&S Sheffield Fargate first opened its doors on September 23, 1949 and these days features food, clothing and homeware ranges and a cafe.

There was more to commemorate as two colleagues at the store are celebrating a combined 67 years of service.

Angela Hodson has been working at Fargate for 32 years and Kathryn Wilding has celebrated 35 years with the store.

The Marks & Spencer store on Fargate in 1962

Today M&S Sheffield Fargate offers the very best of M&S Food, Clothing & Home as well as an M&S Café.

Kathryn said: “I can’t believe I’m celebrating 35 years with M&S in the same year our store is celebrating its 70th birthday.

“I’m incredibly proud to have worked at the store for half of the years it’s been trading and this milestone has really made me appreciate the special moments I’ve experienced here.

“I’ve loved every minute of working with my fantastic colleagues and getting to know our regular (and new!) customers over the years - it really is like one big family.

Michael Burr, manager of Marks & Spencer in Fargate, Sheffield enjoyed a top flight send off for his retirement

“I started at the store as a hairdresser and opened our in-store order desk before working on the customer services desk for several years.

“I’ve been working on Home for the last three years and I love it, I’m so passionate about the products and it’s so exciting when new items come in and I see families buying them for their own home.”

Angela said: “I’m proud to have worked at M&S Sheffield more than half of my life.

“I first started on Food in 1987 and worked in the department for 10 years before moving across to Clothing and Home.

Kathryn Wilding, who has worked for M&S Sheffield Fargate for 35 years

“I’m now office-based which I love but still relish the opportunity to interact with the families and customers I’ve served over the last 32 years.

“I love the variety of my job and the fact we’re like one big family.”

Store manager Tracy Kaneadded: “The atmosphere in our store over the last month has been lovely.

“Our team have been excited to celebrate this milestone and it’s fantastic to have long-serving colleagues like Kathryn and Angela still working with us and inspiring newer members of the team.

“With the festive season just around the corner, I’m really looking forward to welcoming customers old and new into store over the coming months.”