A sales assistant at Marks & Spencer in Hamilton is celebrating her 40 th year working for the high-street retailer.
Jan Prestly has many special memoriesover the last four decades, in particular meeting her husband, Gavin Prestly, at the store.
Gavin and Jan locked eyes more than 30 years ago, whilst he worked in Store Operations. Now married for 32 years, the couple's two daughters, Romy (23) and Carrie (18), have also worked at M&S Hamilton over busy Christmas periods whilst studying.
Building a strong career in her years with M&S, Jan has worked across several departments including ladieswear, homeware and the M&S Café before developing her career in the food department, her favourite area to work.
Her transition in roles across the store has enabled her to advance her skills, delivering essential on-the-ground assistance to local shoppers.
Jan was also a key part of the team which helped open the new Hamilton Foodhall in March this year, an important milestone for the local community.
She told Lanarkshire Live : "M&S has been very good to me and my family, giving me the chance to explore my passions in different departments within the Hamilton store.
"I was only meant to start as mat leave cover back in 1982 and I’ve been here ever since – I think that speaks volumes to how wonderful the team is to work with.
“I’ve seen the store go through a lot of changes and am really enjoying working in our brand-new Foodhall.
"The new store features and customers make for such a brilliant atmosphere to work in. I love working at M&S, the team is like one big family and although I’ll be turning 57 in January, I can’t imagine leaving anytime soon.”
Store manager Lorraine McGurk told us : "Jan has become such an integral part of the team at M&S Hamilton that I can’t imagine the place without her.
"She is attentive and considerate towards her customers and always comes in with a smile on her face – I’m very proud to have her as part of the store team and can’t wait to celebrate her next big anniversary!”
To find out more about working for M&S, and the roles and training available, head to their website.
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