Champagne gift for Julie

Champagne gift shows Julie she’s truly valued

Long-serving staff member Julie Hall received Champagne, flowers and a certificate to mark her two decades with the company.

She is pictured (second right) with Wetherspoon’s area manager Anthony Buckley (right), along with colleagues shift leader Paddy Rigg and duty manager Sharna Blackburn, at Wetherspoons (Gateshead), where she has worked for the past 20 years.

When Massarella Café in Newcastle upon Tyne closed, Julie, who had worked there for 13 years, successfully applied for a full-time job with Wetherspoon.

She recalled: “The past 20 years have gone by so quickly; when I joined the company, I didn’t dream in a million years that I would still be here 20 years later.”

Julie switched to a part-time role, as floor and bar associate, six years ago when she lost her mum and had to juggle childcare along with her job.

Julie said: “Bill (Alderson) has been my manager here for around 15 years and is always very fair and flexible.

“The people I work with are great – and the customers are always lovely.”

Julie Hall

“Everyone was so good to me when I lost my mam. They continue to be understanding with my shifts, fitting in with school and looking after my daughter Demi.

“At the minute, I can’t return to a full-time position, although Demi is now 15 and a lot more independent. When she leaves school, I will be able to look to return to a full-time job at the pub.”

In the meantime, Julie continues to enjoy her role in her pub – Wetherspoons.

She concluded: “The people I work with are great – and the customers are always lovely.”