Travis Perkins staff member celebrates golden anniversary

Mick Ballard, a yard customer assistant at Travis Perkins Leicester Central branch, has celebrated 50 years with the business.

The 77-year-old started with Travis & Arnold in 1975 before it merged with Sandell Perkins in 1988 to become Travis Perkins.

During his time with the company, he has held a variety of different positions at the branch, which has gone through two relocations starting on Sanvey Gate, to Swan Street and then its current location on Ravensbridge Drive.

To mark his achievement the team held a gathering at the branch, with Ballard receiving a bottle of champagne and some vouchers to spend.

“I was so pleased when I made it to 45 years,” Ballard said. “A couple of colleagues had said the challenge was to make it to 50 years, so I am thrilled to have achieved that landmark.

“The business has changed so much over my time here, but I still really enjoy coming into work and chatting to customers and colleagues.”