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| August 2007 - Night, Night . . . Ensure you sleep tight Evening Gazette Wednesday 8th August |
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Click here to read the complete article |
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Hatfields say farewell to long serving staff members. July 2007 |
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| Pictured Above (From Left to Right) |
| David London (Co-Chairman), Malcolm Durbridge (Finance Director), Tony London (Co-Chairman), Andrew London (Marketing Director), |
| Gillian Francis, Bob Fuller (Managing Director), Robert London (Merchandise Director), Derek Ruffell, Ivan Hawes (Sales Director) |
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Hatfields’ directors and staff joined long serving members of the Hatfields team, Gillian Francis and Derek Ruffell, in a farewell session with champagne and canapés to thank them for all their years of hard work and to wish them a very peaceful retirement, having served over 40 years between them. Each received a luxury leather reclining chair as their parting gift.
Gillian began her career at Hatfields as a part time carpet and flooring consultant and soon rose up through the ranks to become one of Hatfields most reliable and top sales staff. Gill served Hatfields’ customers as sales supervisor and dedicated over 20 years to the company. In her time Gillian has sold an estimated 15 million pounds worth of beautifully crafted quality home furnishings.
Accounts Office manager, Derek Ruffell, who joined the company in 1985, after serving in the army, was a truly exceptional member of staff who has lead a very fine accounts team over the years. His character, knowledge and expertise in the field will be missed.
Sales Director, Ivan Hawes remarked, “We have been privileged to work with such exceptional people who have brought to Hatfields a high degree of loyalty, hard work and were great friends to their colleagues We hope they enjoy a long and relaxing retirement.” |
| March 2007 |
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East Anglian Daily Times - Tuesday 30th May 2006 |
"Movers and Shakers" |
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Hatfields’ Sales and
Operations Director, Ivan Hawes, said: “Staff and customers really entered
into the spirit of things and we would like to thank all our customers for
helping us support the hospice.” A St Helena Hospice spokesperson said: “We are so reliant on the public’s continued goodwill and support and events such as this one staged by Hatfields are absolutely vital to our ability to continue providing high levels of support to people in need of care both at our hospice and in the community. We would like to say a very big thank-you to Hatfields and their customers for raising this money.” |
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| May 2006 |
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The department has two waiting/counselling rooms for relatives but the chairs and tables were in a poor state of repair. Senior Sister Gail Mander picked up the phone to Hatfields, explained their predicament and asked if there was anything the store could do to help. Hatfields’ Sales and Operations Director, Ivan Hawes, said: “We popped along and looked at what they had, which to be honest had seen better days. We have supplied them with 11 comfortable chairs and two matching tables. “Everybody knows what a fantastic job the hospital does so we were only too happy to do what we could to help.” Sister Mander said: “We are extremely grateful for the furniture which has been kindly donated by Hatfields and which is already making a big difference. Hatfields, has answered an SOS from staff at the critical care department at Colchester General Hospital. |
| “We have relatives in the department on a round-the-clock basis and it is important for them to be able to relax in a clean and comfortable environment at what is invariably a tiring and anxious time.” |
March 2006.
STAFF at the St Helena Hospice charity shop in Head Street, can now enjoy their well-deserved tea-breaks in a more comfortable setting thanks to the generosity of Colchester furniture store, Hatfields. The shop’s first floor staff kitchen and rest area was in dire need of a make-over, with new carpet particularly required. Shop manager, Alison Gove, placed an appeal in Colchester Weekly News for anyone who might have an off-cut carpet lurking in their garage.
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March 2006.
COLCHESTER store, Hatfields, is going more than an extra mile to ensure it stays at the forefront of the furniture world – quite a few thousand miles in fact. Merchandise Director, Robert London, is about to set off on the company’s first trade tour of the Far East, taking in Singapore, Vietnam, China and Kuala Lumpa where he will attend some of the world’s leading trade shows and visit major factories.
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February 2006
WHEN it comes to first-class customer service, Colchester furniture store, Hatfields, has taken it to new levels – a third floor apartment balcony to be precise. The store’s delivery team more than rose to the occasion when a customer’s furniture delivery, despite the best efforts of all concerned, simply wouldn’t fit up the stairs or in the lift. Not to be beaten, the team went away and returned one week later complete with a specialised electrical hoist and successfully undertook the somewhat delicate task of lifting the large pieces of furniture over the balcony and through the apartment’s balcony doors. Hatfields’ Warehouse Manager, Bob Newman, who oversaw the exercise, said he had never experienced anything like it in his 25 years in the job.“ These were large, expensive pieces of Italian furniture and, no matter how we tried, the normal access routes into the apartments just wouldn’t allow us to get the furniture in. The customers had set their heart on these particular items so we didn’t want to disappoint them. We told them we would go away and find a solution,” said Bob.
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February 2006
THE last member of staff to have worked for Colchester furnishing store Hatfields at their old St Botolphs Street store has retired from the company after 36 years unbroken service. Maureen Gibson joined the company on June 30 1970 – the day Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup Final in Mexico – after responding to an advert seeking a Girl Friday. “I’d been 11 years in my previous job with a car dealership and felt like a change. I never dreamed when I got offered the job that I would stay for 36 years,” said Maureen, of Old Heath, Colchester. Maureen’s initial role was telephonist/receptionist at the St Botolphs Street store which is now occupied by Franklins. Six years later she transferred to the new store when it opened in Peartree Road and was promoted to Director’s Assistant in 1980, working for David London who remains a Director of the company. “I’ve loved every minute of my time with Hatfields,” she said. “It’s a family-run business and members of staff are made to feel very much part of the family. I remember Andrew and Robert, who are now Directors, being born – that makes me feel rather old!”
She cited the company’s move to Peartree Road and the advent of computers into the business as the major landmarks during her 36 years. “Moving to Peartree Road moved the business into another league. We suddenly had so much more space,” Maureen added. David London, who placed the advert and recruited Maureen all those years ago, said: “I remember taking on Maureen and it was certainly a very good decision. She has given us wonderful service and we are all extremely grateful for her hard work and dedication through the years.” Maureen was presented with a number of gifts from the company and colleagues, including a gold necklace and gardening vouchers to help her enjoy one of her favourite pastimes. Maureen has not totally severed her links with the company. She still comes in part-time in a sales administration role. |
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