Employee marks 50 years in Newby store

On Monday (14 March) employee Terry Petch celebrated not only his 70th birthday but 50 years of working at the independent supermarket chain.

When Terry was first hired by G W Proudfoot, or Wilf, in 1966, his first project was to modify a Ford Zodiac, complete with loud speakers on the roof, and consequently chauffeur Wilf around Cleveland for three weeks as part of his general election campaign.

Unfortunately, Wilf lost the marginal seat and left parliament, so Terry was then employed as a joiner to work on the original Newby supermarket where he still works today.

He now assumes a myriad of roles at the company, including store manager, non-food buyer and project manager, and still provides technical advice for the maintenance of the company.

Terry said that his diverse range of responsibilities within the company makes life very interesting. He said: “I never imagined that I would still be here after 50 years, but it’s an interesting job that involves several changes of scenery every day!

“Working as a manager at the Proudfoot Group allows a lot of freedom, particularly in terms of decision-making, which you wouldn’t get at one of the larger multiples.”

Terry celebrated his 70th birthday with a buffet and “a drink or three” at the Blacksmith Arms Cloughton with around 50 of his closest family and friends. He added: “Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional.

“If I were ever to grow up life would be very dull!”

In addition to his everyday responsibilities and birthday celebrations, Terry is also joint project manager of the new Proudfoot Manham Hill store, which is due to open in May.

The Proudfoot Group is an independent, family-run chain of supermarkets established in the Scarborough area. The company has won many awards for its service over the years, including the “Nisa Award for Excellence - Best Supermarket Store”, and a prestigious gold Yorkshire in Bloom award last year.