Everyone will need to help now Colin’s gone
Manager retires after 40 years with supermarket chain
A Linwood supermarket manager is bursting with pride after customers and colleagues threw him a surprise party to celebrate his retirement.
Colin Caldow will begin his retirement from Tesco exactly 40 years to the day that he first started stacking shelves with the company aged just 16.
Life in 2018 for the 56-year-old is a far cry from serving customers back in 1978.
“When I started we would have to crank up the till and now it’s all about technology and self-service scanners. So much is different,” he said.
“But all that change keeps you on your toes.”
Colin started working for the supermarket giant straight out of school and says staying with the company for four decades is one of his proudest achievements.
The dad- of- four told the Express: “When I left school that’s what you did – you started working somewhere and you stayed with them as long as you could.
“I don’t think this would happen now, people move around so much. I am so grateful for the opportunities it has given me. I’ve had the chance to work my way up and learn a bit of everything.”
Now the family man’s efforts are being recognised.
Staff at the Linwood store, where Colin has worked as manager since its launch in 2014, gathered together to surprise their much-loved boss.
Lynda Downes, Tesco’s community champion, said it was a fitting tribute to a man who brought a smile to so many.
“He’s always out on the shop floor and has built up such a good rapport with all the staff and customers,” she said.
“He really has a great relationship with everyone.
“Linwood was a new store and Colin has been such a fantastic manager.
“He had so many years experience behind him and he really led by example and brought all the knowledge to the shop.”
Over the years Colin worked his way up from restocking shelves to managing 20 stores across the West of Scotland.
He has also made charity work a priority during his time as a manager. As part of one of the 26 stores in their group, the branch in Linwood raised £ 30,000 in cash for the Glasgow’s Children Hospital.
Earlier this year the branch also supported the Prince and Princess of Wales hospice and helped raise £80,000 as well as donating a television to East Fulton Primary School.
“We couldn’t have done all these without his support,” said Lynda.
Wife Catherine and their four children are promising to keep him busy as Colin gets set to enjoy retirement next month.
He’ll be heading to Spain to celebrate his newfound freedom but says he’s most looking forward to enjoying some time with his family closer to home.
“This will be my first Christmas off in 40 years,” he said. “I can’t wait to be with all my family.”