I’m heartbroken, my colleagues are like family, says Primark’s longest-serving staff member
PRIMARK’S longest-serving employee in the UK has said the loss of the landmark Castle Street store is “like a bereavement” and described her heartbreak at watching the fire destroy the building.
Glengormley woman Mary Flynn (69) began working for the clothing retailer in 1975 when its Belfast store was situated at Queen’s Arcade.
A few years later she was given the honour of cutting the ribbon when the new store opened in Bank Buildings.
Currently on holiday in Spain, she said she watched in horror as an inferno gutted the place where she has spent most of her working life, and “hasn’t stopped crying” since.
“Primark is my second family, and that building is my second home, it’s like a part of me,” she said.
“I cried my eyes out all day when I saw what was happening. “It has broken my heart. “At first I thought that they could have contained the fire and got it under control.
“Maybe we would need a new roof and we would be out for a couple of weeks.
“When I saw the fire spreading down it just made me so sad for all my friends and customers who have come in and who have become friends over the years.
“My first thought was: ‘Thanks be to God that everyone has got out’.
“I have worked for Primark for 43 years. I started on October 27, 1975, when I was 26 years old.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen.
“I haven’t stopped crying, as it’s so sad.
“We have 350-360 staff at that building.
“I have heard that all the workers had to leave their bags, house keys, car keys, purses and other belongings there.
“I have been trying to get in touch with people, but they have lost their mobile phones.
“They were left with nothing but what they ran out with.
“I just wish that I was there to help support people.”
Ms Flynn, who will be 70 on New Year’s Day, said she doesn’t want to retire as Primark is a “fabulous” employer.
“The best case scenario would be redeploying employees to other stores. We have stores in Abbey Centre, Newtownards, Lisburn,” she added.
“There would be difficulties with travelling, but at least at the end of the day it would get staff back into jobs.”
She also expressed sadness at the loss of the historic edifce.
“I opened that building decades ago and I love it to bits working there,” she said.
“It is 100% like a bereavement. “It was such a beautiful building to work in, and the work on the refurbishment was due to be finished after Christmas.
“We were all proud to work there and I hope and pray that they can save it. There is so much history there.”
She added that she had invested her whole working life in the company.
“I remember on the day that I began work I queued for four hours for the job of shop assistant,” she explained.
“I had other jobs, but Primark doubled my weekly wage.
“I had been getting £17 a week and that went up to £38 a week, meaning we were among the highest paid shop workers in Belfast.
“I started during the Troubles and I remember people had to be searched coming in through the doors.
“The company inspired loyalty in the work force.
“Everyone who works in Primark loves it.
“Quite a lot of people have been there for around 30 years, and I have made fantastic friends with staff and management. They are all fabulous.
“We are like one big happy family, when someone has to retire they are broken-hearted.
“I am 69 years old and I don’t want to retire.
“The people in the store are just the nicest people.”
The grandmother said she feels especially sorry for the younger staff who are facing extra costs due to the start of the new school year.
“A lot of parents are getting the kids back to school, there are a lot of single parents who work in there,” she added.
As for its long-term future, Ms Flynn is in no doubt that she and her colleagues would eventually like to see the business return to the Castle Street location.
“We want to get back in that building and keep working for them,” she said. “It keeps you young being with colleagues and customers who are also friends.
“I lost my husband Gerry in January. We were married for 48 years and I got such support. I have fabulous friends who I would be lost without.”
She had a message for her friends and employers.
“I want to say to my colleagues to keep the chin up. I miss them and love them, they are a great bunch of girls,” she said.
“I want to say to the management to keep the chin up too. I know that Primark will build itself up again with the staff behind them.”
I have made fantastic friends... they are just the nicest people
Apall of uncertainty still hangs over the fire ravaged Primark store in central Belfast. While the shell of the building is still standing there is a danger that the entire structure — apart from the new extension which was due to open shortly — could crumble.
The inability of fire crews and other experts to enter the building until their safety can be guaranteed is hampering efforts to determine how the fire which swept through all five storeys of the listed building began.
There was some relief for the 360 staff last night when the company said they would be paid this week, but it will be next week before a firm decision on their future is made.
This is a worrying time for the staff, some of whom have worked at the store for lengthy periods of time. One ray of hope is that Belfast City Council is drawing up an inventory of vacant retail units in the city centre which could become a temporary home for the company if it wants to begin trading quickly.
Certainly it would be a boost to the city centre if Primark was to open its doors there even on a temporary basis. It brings a significant footfall into the city centre and that also benefits other retailers.
These are challenging times on the High Street and competition is fierce between city centre and out-of-town retailers. Belfast already faces challenges in bringing people in from satellite towns and the coming months in the lead up to Christmas is vital to every retail business, accounting for a significant proportion of their annual sales.
The authorities have responded positively with Land and Property Services examining if there can be some rates relief or staged payments of rates to make up for the days neighbouring businesses are unable to trade because of the Primark fire.
This is also an appropriate juncture to pay tribute to the Fire and Rescue Service who fought valiantly to contain the fire. Not only did they stop it spreading to nearby buildings but also prevented the new extension from being consumed in the flames. The fire crews’ efforts were played out live on television and social media, giving us all an insight into the dangers and challenges of their job.
And we as consumers can play our part in ensuring the future prosperity of the city centre. We often take retailers for granted until there is a threat to their continued trading. They need us just as we need them.