THE manager of a much-loved cafe in Worcester has bid an emotional farewell to customers after working in the shop for more than 25 years.

Carol Allen, 60, has decided to retire after being the longtime manager of Clockwatchers Coffee House and Bistro, which is currently closed due to the pandemic.

Carol joined the Mealcheapen Street cafe when it opened under the original owner Neil Hunter in 1994.

Carol said: “When I started I was serving customers on the tills and we had table service as well as a takeaway, but in those days it was more of a take-out establishment as opposed to a sitting one.

“Initially I started off doing twelve hours a week while the kids had gone off to school, I was formerly a trainee dental nurse so I was looking at getting back in the workplace as the children were at school, little did I know nearly 26 years later I’d be there managing the shop.

“After about five years I started to manage the business. In its day Clockwatchers was unique to Worcester offering freshly made sandwiches served as the customer liked, nothing too fancy, just simple honest food which included homemade soups and a hot roast meat of the day.

“Over the period of my 26 years I have seen many changes, although sandwiches remained popular the menu was extended to include jacket potatoes, breakfasts, paninis and light lunches.

“Neil, who sadly passed away last year, retired and sold the business in 2003.

“I have to make a special mention to Carly Yeates who came to work with me 17 years ago, when she was just 17.

“She has remained a special friend to me and my family and I could not have done my job successfully without her.

"I know she would join me in wanting to thank all of our customers old and new for supporting the business over the years.

"It is sad that we did not get to say our goodbyes the way we would have liked.

"Having been at Clockwatchers since the day it opened I have always had a passion for the business to thrive, and thoroughly enjoyed my many years of service there," said Carol."

The owner of Clockhouse confirmed that although the cafe won’t open on December 2, they are hoping to reopen the business in the new year.