I’m Asda’s oldest employee and I have no plans to retire any time soon

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Happy birthday to Asda’s oldest employee, who has just turned 90.

An employee at Trafford Park Asda has celebrated his 90th birthday – which now makes him the company’s oldest colleague. 

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Ron Ellis, a customer service host, started working at Asda 18 years ago, first as a greeter and then as a checkout assistant. However, he spent most of his working life working as an estimator for a steelworks company. 

He turned 90 on 24 April and the occasion did not go unnoticed by his colleagues, who put out all the stops for the big day. He was inundated with presents and chocolates, and all the tills were decorated with balloons. Even the customers joined in to sing happy birthday to him. 

90-year-old Ron Ellis is Asda's oldest employee. He works at the Trafford Park branch in Manchester. Credit: Asda90-year-old Ron Ellis is Asda's oldest employee. He works at the Trafford Park branch in Manchester. Credit: Asda
90-year-old Ron Ellis is Asda's oldest employee. He works at the Trafford Park branch in Manchester. Credit: Asda | Asda

Ron, a widower with two sons and two grandchildren, was taken aback by the show of kindness. He said: "I love my job and I've no plans to retire – I'm still going strong and I love coming to work.

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 "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.”

As a Manchester City fan, Ron jokes that the hardest part of his job is having to deal with United fans. Hr said: "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."

Staff and customers alike speak highly of Ron. Customer trading manager Liam McDermott said: "We are so proud to have Ron as a colleague, he's a true gentleman."

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Asda 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.”

Customer 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."

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."

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