A Runcorn family is celebrating more than 42 years of service between them at one of the town’s hotels.
Mum Karin Telford, 62, daughter Rebecca Kneale, 35, and son Thomas Telford, 25, all live in the town and work at the Campanile Hotel on Lowlands Road.
Karin is head housekeeper at the hotel, and has worked in the department since November 4, 1996 – the year when the hotel opened.
It’s been nearly 21 years since the former nursery nurse, office worker and pub manager stepped foot through the hotel’s doors, but she has no intention of hanging up her apron.
She said: “It was never my intention to stick at it as a housekeeper but the work force here are just so friendly and positive, that I’ve never had any reason to leave – my motto is ‘if it isn’t broke then don’t fix it’ and I haven’t!
“Working in a hotel means you get to see a real variety of people. We are centrally located between Liverpool, Manchester and Chester, so we get a lot of tour buses stopping off here for the night.
“I’ve even seen the likes of Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter and Johnny Vegas who have stopped here when they’ve been performing at the nearby Brindley Theatre.
“Retirement is still a long way off for me, so I’ll carry on doing what I do for as long as I’m able to!”
Karin’s daughter and team leader Rebecca is following in her mum’s footsteps with more than 18 years of service under her belt, while Thomas has worked his way up to become deputy manager four years after leaving university.
Rebecca added: “I’ve been at the hotel ever since I left school after my mum made me aware of a weekend position – so I have to thank her in part for where I am now.
“I’ve worked my way up to management level over the years and really enjoy working here day to day – the unpredictability keeps you on your toes.”
One person who knows the trio well is hotel general manager Jennie Nickson, who originally joined the hotel in September 2001 as a part-time breakfast assistant.
She said: “We have a tight-knit, positive group here at the hotel which has been reflected in the glowing reviews the hotel has been receiving.
“Karin, Rebecca and Thomas are great assets for the hotel as they all share the traits you want in any hotel – warmth, friendly and hard-working.”