Former Woolies worker starts job with new Wilkinson store in Bognor

Lynne Stoner secured a stock control job at the London Road shop, when she was one of 800 people who applied for the 70 posts available in the store as reported in the Observer in July.

Wilkinson opens its doors on Wednesday at 9am, but the building has been a hive of activity for the past week as the interior refurbishment is completed and shelves are stocked.

Lynne, 53, from Littlehampton, returned to work on Monday after a holiday and was impressed with what she saw.

She said: "The store is very different, there have been lots of alterations. It's very bright and light '“ it looks absolutely fantastic to be honest."

Lynne worked at Woolworths for 19 years and had a senior position on the shop floor when the national chain collapsed at the end of last year.

She said: "Woolworths closing was a shock for us on the sales floor. We had no idea what was happening.

"When we were told it was closing we were all very sad. I had been working with my colleagues for many years.

"Everybody has split up and are doing different jobs now, but we do meet up and have a coffee and a chat."

The news earlier this year that Wilkinson wanted to take over the vacant Woolworths store spurred Lynne into action.

She said: "I just thought it was fantastic that another shop was coming into Bognor Regis.

"I couldn't actually wait to apply for the job once I heard the company was recruiting. I applied straight away. It's what Bognor Regis needs.

"I was not at all confident of getting the job because there were so many of us applying. At my age I just took the chance.

"I didn't know about the open days so I applied online. I got a phone call two weeks later from the Worthing store.

"I was interviewed by the store management team and two days later I was offered the job.

"I was so delighted I cried. It was just such a relief to get such a fantastic job."

Lynne threw herself into the shop preparation work as soon as she arrived.

"We are all working like Trojans downstairs. It looks absolutely wonderful and we haven't even finished yet," she said.

"I came back off holiday today and there's lots of new faces.

"There were a couple who used to work at Woolworths so it will be interesting to see them."

Store manager Sue Chapman praised Lynne and said: "She's taken to her training like a duck to water, so she will be brilliant."

Speaking about the opening, she added: "We are reviving the high street and have created lots of new jobs for local people, which has also resulted in us recruiting some of the ex-Woolworths staff.

"We are looking forward to meeting many of the local residents on opening day and introducing them to the Wilkinson brand."

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