Page 11 - Meadowhall 25th Anniversary: The Star Special Supplement

Saturday,September5,2015 www.thestar.co.uk
THESTAR 11
Michele Farrell is ‘flattered and honoured’ to be part ofthe celebrations
1 can’t believe I’ve been here so long’
Michele Farrell, 55, from Wincobank, started working at Meadowhall on November 5,1990, as a Christmas temp at The Body Shopjust after the centre first opened to the public.
She recalls: “Back then Christmasseemedto start a lot later and The Body Shop didn’t have any Box­ ing Day sales, so we would always close at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
“Irememberhowlucky wewereastheothershops would be starting to get readyforthehugeBoxing Day sales, but not us, we didn’t introduce sales un­ til a few years later.
Michelle looks back at her time at Meadowhall withveryfondmemories: “Thebigchangelthinkhas been the physical appear- anceofthestoresthatIful­ lysupport.
“Obviously green is the colour people associate with us and that’s actu­ ally down to the fact that in the first-ever shop that opened in Brighton there was mould on the walls, so a dark green hid the patchesofdampnotmany
people know that! “ThestorenowatMead-
owhall is so bright and open, lots of whites and exposed brickwork - it’s stunning.”
Michelle, now a sen­ ior sales consultant, ad­ mits she loves working on the shop floor: “It gets me through the day, interact­ ing with the customers; that’s my focus and that’s my passion.”
She also believes The BodyShophasreallystood the test of time over the years, adjusting and suc­ cessfullymovingwiththe times.
“We used to offer eve­ ry product in five sizes, that was totally unique to us back then, but we have movedwiththetrendsand never suffered as a result.
“I feel we stand firmly in between Boots and a departmentstoreandwe have an image and reputa­ tion that people trust.
“I can’t believe I have beenhereaslongasIhave, it only feels like yesterday I started but I’m flattered andhonouredtobehereto see the 25th celebrations, it’saveryspecialfeeling.”
Michele Farrell started working at Meadowhall on November 5,1990
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