'It's very sad....it's been an emotional day' - long-serving employee locks up Tesco Express for the last time in Chesterfield's Pavements Shopping Centre
A long-serving employee has locked the doors of Tesco Express in Chesterfield Pavements Shopping Centre for the last time – 17 years after she was the first to unlock them.
Diane Boler, 61, who lives in Bolsover, performed the poignant task watched by colleagues including Donna Clark, Rebecca Davis, Andy Lunn and Ornampai Hughes.
She said: “It’s very sad. It’s been an emotional day but we’ve had lots of lovely customers coming in to wish us well and say they are going to miss us. We’ve had quite a few chocolates from them which we’ll enjoy at home.”
Diane has worked in the cash office since the store opened and also on the checkout and customer service desk. She said: “I’ve had some wonderful colleagues and made some lovely friends. We’ve had quite a few weddings we’ve all gone to and a few christenings and some sad times when we’ve lost members of staff. It’s like a little family.”
She is transferring to the big Tesco Extra store on Lockoford Lane, Chesterfield where she starts on Monday. Diane said: “I’m a bit apprehensive; it’s going to be completely different to what I know now.”
The new Tesco Express on High Street in the town centre will welcome its first customers through the doors on Thursday, February 19.