Long service awards have been handed out to retired staff at Glasswells who between them have clocked up over 1,700 years service.

The event took place at the home furnishing superstore’s in Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds.

The “gold watch club” is made up of employees who have worked for the company for 20 years or more and, who traditionally, are awarded with a gold watch to mark their long service.

They included Terry Glasswell, who retired from the company as finance director in 2013 after completing 50 years of service; Roger Tricker with 53 years of service, who managed the flooring installation side of the business and still works for Glasswells; and Richard Ball, the retailer’s current buying director, with 49 years of loyal service.

The annual get together coincided with the Glasswells’ Christmas gift and profit distribution to staff, a tradition started over 70 years ago by father and son founders, Jerry and Leslie Glasswell.

“At Glasswells, we pride ourselves on the knowledge, experience and exceptional customer service that our staff can offer our customers; that is what sets us apart from other retailers and makes us the number one home furnishings store in East Anglia,” said Paul Glasswell, the managing director explained.

“Our long serving staff list is really rather extraordinary and it’s very satisfying for myself and the family that so many of our colleagues have enjoyed being at Glasswells for such large parts of their working life.

“I know that everyone looks forward to our annual Christmas party as it is a chance for them to see some old friends and enjoy retelling the many stories of yesteryear. Whilst we treasure our history and heritage we are always looking at ways to move the business forward; the £1 million massive refurbishment project at our Bury St Edmunds store has modernised and improved the shopping environment, bringing the hottest new styles and designs to homes in the region,” he added