Staff reunion after company closure

FORMER workers at one of Ipswich's historic companies are preparing to say a fond farewell to their past colleagues after the company closed its doors.

Listers based in Landseer Road, has relocated to the site of its sister company in Wolverhampton after a presence in Ipswich spanning 35 years.

Next Friday around 200 staff are expected to get together for a party at the Manor Ballroom in Ipswich and to reminisce about their days at work.

The company started trading in the town in May 1974 and in June this year the first of 58 staff members left the company after being made redundant, with the company closing their doors for good on July 3.

The wholesale distributors of lock security and builders hardware used to employ around 225 local people about seven years ago.

Ian Ellis, an external brand manager, still working for the company at Wolverhampton said the event would be a farewell and goodbye.

“A lot of people have worked here a long time,” he said. “It has exploded into something really big, lots of local people worked here and we wanted to have a big party and celebration.”

On Friday, August 14 around 200 former employees are expected for the event at the venue in St Margaret's Green.

Mr Ellis said people are “really excited” about the evening, looking forward to seeing old faces.

“It is the most important thing on the horizon at the moment,” he added.

“One of the former owners John Lister is even flying back from Spain for the occasion. We can't wait.”

So far 172 tickets for the event have already sold and with a capacity of just 200 there are very few left. If you want to buy one of the last remaining tickets please contact Dean Warren via the Listers facebook page detailing the event.

n. Did you work at Lister's? Send your memories to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or have your say at www.eveningstar.co.uk