Wedding bells will be ringing three times at a fashion store where they’re also celebrating a hat-trick of promotions.
The new manager, Caroline Collinson, 32, and two members of her top team at the Next store at Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham are all getting married within 12 months of each other.
Caroline will be walking down the aisle in June this year while the new assistant manager, Sarah Young, 29, and Laura Jones, 31, the new ladies wear manager are both tying the knot with their fiances in June 2018.
Caroline, from Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, has been with Next for 15 years and is delighted to have been promoted to store manager.
She said: “I have actually been at the Eagles Meadow store for the past three years as deputy manager before promotion to store manager. I really like working for Next and thoroughly enjoy working at Eagles Meadow.
“We have so many regular customers here at Eagles Meadow and it’s nice to get to know so many of them. It’s just a lovely place to work and there is such an amazing atmosphere.
“I’m fortunate to have such a great team to work with and having a new assistant manager and ladies wear manager start at basically the same time as I took over as store manager is fantastic.”
She added: “It’s an amazing coincidence we are all three have our weddings planned, although mine is later this year and Sarah and Laura’s are next year.
“We have already forged a great working relationship that will drive the store forward in the future.”
Assistant store manager Sarah Young has been with Next for 10 years and transferred to Eagles Meadow from the company’s Greyhound Park store in Chester.
She said: “It’s a new challenge for me in my career. We are coming together as a new management team and I’m really enjoying my new role. We have a team of 65, made up of both full and part-time store assistants, but it’s a busy store and one I really enjoy working in.
“I’m ambitious and want to eventually become a store manager and then potentially an area manager further down the line.
“I first started in the Chester city centre store before moving to the Broughton Park store and then the Greyhound Park in Chester. It’s all about gaining experience in different retail environments.
“I really enjoy working in stores and despite the fact on-line sales is such a big part of any major retail business these days I believe stores will always have a major role to play.
She added: “My wedding is next year and obviously I’m both excited and looking forward to it. It’s amazing that both Caroline and Laura both have their wedding days planned too.”
Laura Jones, of Wrexham, says she is thrilled to have been promoted to ladies wear manager at the Eagles Meadow store.
She said: “I moved to the Eagles Meadow store from the Next outlet at the Coliseum Retail Park in Ellesmere Port where my role was more office-based. I wanted more shop floor experience which I need if I’m to further my retail career.
“I’ve worked with Caroline before and know she’s a great store manager and someone I can learn a great deal from.
“I’ve actually been with Next for 14 years and hopefully my role as ladies wear manager is the next step on my road to becoming an assistant store manager and then, hopefully, eventually a manager.
“It’s a great company to work for and I really enjoy Eagles Meadow. There is such a lovely atmosphere and our customers are fantastic.”
She added: “Like Caroline and Sarah, I was amazed to learn we all three have our weddings planned and coming up. It’s a bit of a coincidence but at least we have lots to talk about on our refreshment breaks!”
Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre manager Kevin Critchley said: “Caroline, Sarah and Laura have all three been with Next a long time and are forging successful careers in retail. Retail is a great career choice, it’s fast paced and you need a whole range of skills if you are to be a success.
“I’m sure the all three will be a great management team and help us continue the Eagles Meadow success story.”
He added: “And of course, I wish all three all the very best for their forthcoming weddings. I’m sure all three will enjoy what is a momentous occasion with their families and friends.”
