Meet customer service host Ron Ellis from Asda’s Trafford Park (Manchester) store who, at the grand age of 90, is Asda’s oldest colleague.
Ron who has just celebrated his big birthday (24th April) was surprised by his colleagues who showered him with presents, chocolates and a card and decorated the checkouts area with balloons while singing happy birthday to him along with customers.
Ron, who works four days a week, said: “I love my job and I’ve no plans to retire – I’m still going strong and I love coming to work.
“My colleagues here are brilliant, fantastic. We get on so well. When it was my birthday they were so kind. A lot of people don’t know how old I am so it came as a surprise. That day will remain firmly in my memory for the rest of my days, it was fantastico.
“I love having a chat with the customers. We talk about all sorts, including football. I’m a big Man City fan while many of the customers and colleagues here support United! It’s all good humoured though as we’re a very friendly store here.”
Widower Ron, who has two sons and two grandchildren, started work in Asda 18 years ago as a greeter, before moving to checkouts and self scan. Before that he was an estimator for a steelworks company for many years.
Customers just love Ron – here’s what they’ve been saying about him:
Sarah Howard said: “Ron always makes me feel welcome, we chat all the time. When I come to checkouts he makes a beeline for me, I always look out for him.”
Tom Farr added: “He’s a great guy he keeps everybody happy.”
Alison Wilcockson said: “It’s lovely to come in and see his smiling face. Nothing is too much trouble for Ron, he will help anybody.”
Rachel Smith added: “He’s a true gentleman. He’s a lovely, kind colleague. Nothing is too much trouble. We think of him as a family member. You can see he still enjoys his job at Asda as he always has time with customers and gives a personalised service.”
He is also really popular with his colleagues too, Customer trading manager Liam McDermott said: “We are so proud to have Ron as a colleague, he’s a true gentleman.”
Community champion Catharine Arnold added: “It’s a real privilege to work with Ron. He’s amazing and always has a smile on his face. I hope I’m like that when I’m that age! He’s so very well known by customers and colleagues, they all love him.”
Colleagues, such as Louse Williamson, love working alongside Ron. She said: “He’s adorable. He’s kind and caring to others and aways puts others first”
And Mandy Green added: “Ron goes out of his way to speak and help customers. He’s lovely. He also has a special relationship with customer who come to see him.”
A few years ago Ron was nominated for an Asda service superstar award when he paid for a regular customer’s shopping out of his own pocket after she’d accidentally left her bank card at home.
Ron knew the customer was a regular and told her not to worry about it and paid the £42 for her shopping himself. He was very happy to help out and said the customer could return at her convenience to pay him back, which she did later that day. The customer was utterly shocked by Ron’s kind act.
