After nearly three decades behind the tills, 86-year-old Olive Young has finally scanned her last basket of shopping at Iceland, marking the end of an extraordinary career. The great-grandmother began working at the Eagle Centre branch in Derby almost 30 years ago before moving to the Littleover store, where she spent much of her time interacting with customers.
Reflecting on her career, Mrs. Young said, “If you find a job that you truly love, it never feels like work. I’ve enjoyed every moment of my time here. I never considered it a chore—I simply went because I liked it.” Much of her joy came from the daily conversations with shoppers, some of whom she has known for years. “I know more about some of them than I know about myself—they’re like friends,” she shared.
Her manager, Ian McCamely, expressed sadness at her departure, recounting an instance last year when Mrs. Young asked her doctor for a sick note after rupturing her Achilles tendon. “The doctor laughed, thinking she was joking. She returned to work faster than some Premier League players recover from an ACL injury,” he said, praising her remarkable resilience.
Area Manager Tara Connington also lauded her extraordinary commitment: “Continuing to work past retirement age is nothing short of outstanding. Olive is an inspiration to everyone around her.”
On her final day, Mrs. Young was presented with a framed letter of thanks, flowers, and gifts from regional management in recognition of her decades of dedication.
Looking ahead, she plans to enjoy a well-earned retirement, dedicating her time to crafting and knitting. For many years, she has created poppies for the Royal British Legion, and she looks forward to continuing her creative projects while cherishing the connections and memories she built throughout her long and fulfilling career.
