Newark fashion store stalwart retires from Masdings after 51 years of service

A staff member at the Newark shop Masdings has retired as its longest serving employee.

Andrew Eason spent 51 years with the business, having joined in 1971 at the age of 16, and in that time has seen fashions come and go.

Masdings is a well-known Newark institution, having been founded in the 1930s by Charles Masding trading in formal and work wear.

But in the Sixties the world began to embrace new and experimental music, styles and fashions.

Masdings went with the times, winning accounts from trendy brands such as of Wrangler, Levi’s and Ben Sherman and in the process reinventing their direction.

A lot has changed since Andrew’s first day on the job.

He said: “You can imagine what it was like when I first started with Mr Masding. We had a wooden box till, so old fashioned that you had to work out the money on the side, then as time went on we got proper tills and now it does everything for you.

“Over 50 years, fashions come an go. They go out and come back around again, it’s all circular.

“In the Seventies, skinny jeans were the rage, then flares, then baggy and now skinny is popular again.

“My main department was the suits upstairs, the more formal wear and dealing with older customers.

“They were made oversized, big on the shoulders, double breasted and now they’re made to be slim fit.

“When I was first brought into the business I was measuring suits, but even though those days are gone now as everything is off the peg.

“To tell the truth I can know the size of a person just by looking at them.

“Someone can come in looking for a pair of trousers, I’ll pick one up and it will fit them perfectly."

In his years of experience, Andrew also built up a loyal customer base. “A lot of people will still be coming in to see me, I can guarantee that,” he said.

“I had to tell a lot of them that I was leaving, but not to worry as I’m definitely leaving them in capable hands.”

Andrew had nothing but praise for the business where he’d spent half a century.

“The company looks after you well. Any problems they would help us sort it out.

“We had comings and goings but the longest serving members just got on like a house on fire.

“Even when I told Mick (Burke, owner) I was going to retire, he asked me if I was sure but I said the time was right.”

Andrew plans to take more trips, relax and watch his granddaughter play football for Newark Town under-12s.

Danny Keenan, shop manager, who, now becomes the business’ longest serving employee after 46 years, said: “I think he must have stayed because this is a family business, it’s why I’ve been here so long too.

“Unlike with the big chains and global companies you feel like your ideas are listened to and you are well looked after. But all good things must come to an end. He has been a loyal servant and well liked by a lot of people. He was always good with the customers and so many of them come in and ask for him, it’s almost like he became an institution.”

Darren Burke, manager of Oxygen, is the son of owner Mick Burke “I must have known Andrew for 40 years now. He worked here before my dad took over the business and it’s like he’s always been here.

“He was always a great worker, he’d never take a sick day, it was always 100% effort and the customers loved him.

“With everything moving online, customers still like to feel real clothes and try them on. People like Andrew really helped with that, with all that experience he could help choose out an outfit or the perfect gift.”