87-year-old Stockport man finally retires after 30 YEARS at garden centre

Albert Akid 'loved' his job and would even go in on his days off

A Stockport octogenarian has finally hung up his trowel and retired from his job at a local garden centre after working there almost into his 90s.

87-year-old Albert Akid has worked at Brookside Garden Centre in Poynton since 1995 and has only this week decided to finally retire, his daughter Adele told the Manchester Evening News.

"He used to be a joiner, he started working when he was 18," said Adele. "He worked for a long time at Stockport Power Station until that shut down and he got made redundant.

"I think he got to his late 50s and just thought, what am I going to do now? I don't want to give up yet. What can I do that will keep me going?"

"For somebody his age to put that effort in and still keep on going - I think it's nice, for people to see you can keep working at that age. He just wasn't ready to do nothing."

Albert had quite an active, physical role at Brookside, acting as a general handyman, dropping off deliveries, watering plants and carrying out repairs.

"He's enjoyed it, it's varied. All through Covid he worked there - I think he's pretty fit for an 88-year-old. He would even sometimes walk to work."

"He is a widow, so maybe if he hadn't been, his life would have looked different, travelling, things like that. But it has kept him going. He even used to go in on his days off."

Adele says her father's independence at age 88 is down to his job. "I think working keeps you young. You're mixing with different age groups, learning new skills, I think it keeps you mentally sharp."

"I think the minute you sit down, give up, decide you're going to do nothing, it goes downhill and you get isolated. Even just an easy job like pottering around a garden centre can keep you going."

Adele added that she 'never worried' about her father continuing to work due to how well he was looked after by staff at the centre and his boss, Steve Malaney.

"There were times I thought they might get rid of him but they never did. Over the years they've reduced his hours and been very flexible with him. It's great that they are still looking after the older generation."

But she said she knew he wouldn't work there forever. "He said he just woke up and thought, I don't want to carry on, I'm ready. That's me, I'm finished."

"He doesn't have many big plans for his retirement: just potter around in his garden, go shopping in Stockport, go to cafes."

"He hasn't inspired me to do the same though - I'm in my 60s and can't wait to finish work!"