Pontefract colleague Mary celebrates 40 years of service with Asda

Congratulations to Mary Baker from our Pontefract store who's celebrating an incredible 40 years of service with Asda.

Mary, pictured here with senior director Tom French, first started as a Christmas temp at the age of 15 to "get a bit of pocket money", when the store was a Kwiksave. Then, when she left school in the May of the following year, she asked for more hours and has worked in retail ever since.

She moved to premises just outside the town centre 14 years later, and Asda took the building over 10 years after that.

Mary, who's 55 and has a son Thomas, said: "I can't believe it's been 40 years; it's flown by. I'm part of the fixtures and fittings here now!

"When I first started in retail as a Christmas temp I never thought I'd still be in retail. I want to work here for at least another ten years.

"I love it here. Everyone – customers and colleagues – are just one big happy family. I'm looking forward to Christmas in the store. I missed it last year because I broke my arm."

When she's not working at Asda, Mary volunteers at the local Prince of Wales Hospice charity shop and does what she can to help the local food bank.

Store manager Vicky Williams said: "Mary is just amazing – everyone loves her here. She's such a breath of fresh air.

"Well done Mary and thank you for your service! You’re an asset to Asda!"