Meet two of Ikea's oldest employees who want to work at the Wednesbury branch for 'as long as they can'
While most people will count down to their retirement in anticipation, two employees at Ikea in Wednesbury who are in their 80s say they want to work there "for as long as they can".
Bill Rogers, 88, and Champa Patel, 82, have been working at the Black Country branch for 29 years and 23 years respectively.
"It’s more of a family than a job really, which is important when you’re our age," said Bill, who has assembled furniture at the store for almost three decades.
Champa added: "It’s been a real support network for me in my later years, which is so special to me as I am now alone at home."
The 82-year-old is a self-service co-worker, who recalls the incredible support received from colleagues at the store when she lost her husband in 2012.
"Ikea supported me through everything at a time when I was lost and had no idea of what I should do after he’d passed," she said.
Champa ran a shoe shop with her late husband for 19 years in the Wednesbury area.
