Boots worker celebrates 60 years in the same Knutsford store

Quite astonishingly, June Curbishley, began working at the original Boots on Kings Street on April 10 1961 when she was just 15-years-old.

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And now, at the age of 75, she remains one of the chemist's most recognisable faces, and is the longest serving pharmacy advisor across the whole high street chain.

Store manager Jenifer Judge, who has worked for Boots for more than 30 years herself, said June was an inspiration and a much loved member of the team, both by customers and colleague alike.

She said: "I've been the manager here twice, and most recently for the last three years.

"June is known by name by most of our customers, with many of them coming in to ask for her.

"She's got to know so many family's over the years, having seen children grow up and she's just so well known in here.

"She's always lived in Knutsford too and started off in the original Boots which is more or less opposite where we are based now.

"It's amazing that she has always worked in the same store, doing a variety of roles and having spent well over 25 years as a pharmacy advisor serving the people of the town.

"We actually all treat Boots as a family.

"We're not just colleagues, we're friends as well."

June started working at the original Kings Street Boots back in 1961.

June has no plans to retire just yet and although plans for a party to mark the 60 years of dedication are on hold until after the pandemic, there was a small, socially distanced celebration recognising her feat in the staff tea room.

"What Boots normally do is have a 50 Club, which means anyone who has worked for the company for more than 50 years gets invited an annual event," Jenifer added.

"Sadly this event hasn't been able to take place this year or last.

"June had her first Teams call with people from Head Office, which she'd never done before, so that was certainly interesting and allowed her to see some old faces she's worked with over the years.

"We've got loads of pictures in the tea room of June working throughout the years, including one of when she worked here with her mum.

"When lockdown finishes properly, we'll all really look forward to going out and celebrating properly."

A collage of photographs marking June's 60 years at the store was created by her colleagues.

For June herself, the last sixty years has seen her experience many changes, not just with the era of computers, but also in the way medicine and prescriptions are actually put together.

She said: "There's been so much change.

"I'm getting used to some of the computer side of things, but I'm not exactly computer literate, but I manage.

"When I first started, we used to have a lot of medicines that we'd have to actually weigh out.

June has seen many changes in her 60 years working at the famous high street chemist.

"Years ago we used to also sell more baby things, such as prams, and you'd see those children grow up and in many cases go on to have children of their own that they would then bring in to the store.

"It's more than just a place of work.

"The people I work with are such great company and they all mean so much to me.

"Especially with everything that has happened during the last year.

"I've got no plans to retire just yet and I think that while I can continue, I might as well."