At a celebratory lunch, group chairman Michael Higgins presented each employee with a certificate and a photographer was present to record the event. Recently retired stores manager Dennis Scotting was presented with a watch in addition to his long service certificate, gained after 21 years.

'This was a great pleasure for me,' said Higgins. 'It gave me the occasion to renew old friendships and to meet people I don't normally come across. Unfortunately not everyone could be present, but I hope this will be the first of many such celebrations, and I look forward to being able to present their awards to them at a later date.'