Stowmarket Narey’s worker Michael Henton retires after more than four decades

A garden centre employee is due to retire on Christmas Eve after a career spanning more than 40 years.

Micheal Henton, 78, has worked at Narey’s garden centre in Spike's Lane, Stowmarket on and off since he was 15 years old.

The independent family-run garden centre was established in 1955 and sells plants, shrubs and trees and also has a popular café.

Michael has worked in many different roles during his career and recently has been managing the Christmas tree sales.

He said: “We've been doing Christmas trees for the past few weeks, some real lovely trees, and they've been selling like hot cakes.

"It's slowed down a little bit now but we have just sold one today.

“It's all very different from when I started, back then there were just concrete and dirt tracks and the business has just grown and grown since then.

“Back when I started, we used to take our different fruits and vegetables we’d grown down to the market in a van and sell it - those were the days.”

Although Michael started working at the business in its early years, he did leave to work elsewhere before coming back to the family business later on.

Over his career, he has worked with generations of the Narey’s family including the grandfather and father of the current owner David Narey who took on the business in 2000.

David said: “Michael is definitely going to be missed.”

“I’m sure we’ll see him pop in for a visit every now and then though.”

Michael has been an integral part of the business for more than four decades and in that time he has built a strong connection with his colleagues and regular customers.

He added: “We have fun with the customers and have a laugh - they keep coming back and they appreciate all the stuff that we grow.

"I think we've done quite well - everyone gets on really well.

"I'm going to miss the people the most I think.”