50 years of Favell: Longest-serving staff member says he has to ‘pinch himself’ at the achievement
The longest-serving staff member at Weston Favell Shopping Centre says he has to “pinch himself” when he thinks about his career achievement, and praised his workplace ahead of its 50-year milestone.
Cliff Ebanks joined the centre team as security in November 1998 and was headhunted for the role after being out of a similar type of work for just two weeks.
He previously worked at Morrisons in Victoria Promenade and Sainsburys in the Grosvenor Centre, but has not looked back since joining Weston Favell Shopping Centre.
When asked how it feels to be the longest-serving centre team member, Cliff told the Chronicle & Echo: “Sometimes I have to pinch myself. It’s refreshing as everyday is different. It’s definitely an achievement.”
Cliff is proud of the career he has built, as he has followed in the footsteps of his uncle Robert – who has sustained a long career at local shoe factory Crockett & Jones since 1969.
The security guard was asked what has kept him working at Weston Favell for so long, and what he believes makes it such a great place to work.
“The environment,” he said. “It’s a calm and family-oriented centre that accommodates everybody. There are events throughout the year for children and adults.”
Cliff has only had one break in his service in 2011 due to a heart issue, but he was pleased to return in 2015 and picked up where he left off.
He is said to be well-known among the community of visitors and says it gives him “great satisfaction that everyone who comes in is made to feel happy and safe”.
Cliff praised his workplace as being a big help to the community, even for residents who simply want to come in for a chat and be around others.
The valued team member looks back fondly on the building of the new extension, which he says had a “great impact” as it joined the old with the new.
Cliff has enjoyed watching the centre “grow and blossom” over the past two-and-a-half decades, and believes it has only got better with time.
He looks forward to joining in with the upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations and encourages the community to join in with marking this “historic” occasion.
“I first came here as a child in 1975 and I’ve clung on ever since,” Cliff concluded.
The Chronicle & Echo is working with Weston Favell Shopping Centre until the end of October to mark the celebration. If you would like to share your memories and pictures, email [email protected].