After 30 years selling carpets in Darlington, Malcolm takes well earned retirement

Joshua Nichol
·1-min read
Malcolm Coatsworth is set to retire after 30 years as a carpet salesman. <i>(Image: Burts)</i>
Malcolm Coatsworth is set to retire after 30 years as a carpet salesman. (Image: Burts)

A Darlington carpet salesman will retire after 30 years of service at Darlington retailer, Burts Carpets.

Malcolm Coatsworth, 69, will retire at the end of July, bringing an end to his work selling carpets to Darlington residents since 1989.

"It was a really hard decision to retire and I will really miss the daily contact with everyone at Burts as well as the customers but I will still be calling in from time to time for a bacon sandwich on a Friday morning," Mr Coatsworth said.

"I love visiting Scotland and am looking forward to spending more time there."

(Image: Burts)

Most read

Last call for our election special offer! Subscribe before the polls open to catch every detail live.

The company undertook several moves during Mr Coatsworth's time as an employee - Gladstone Street to Valley Street, then Russell Street to King Street and finally a relocation to Eastmount Road.

He also had to deal with evolving customer tastes in carpet design, selling both traditional Axminster styles and modern plain coloured stain resistant carpets.

Known equally for his sales skills as his humour, his rapport with customers was such that "Have you not retired yet?", became a running gag at the store.

Mr Coatsworth's retirement follows his wife's, Laura, who stepped back from her NHS role earlier this year.

Claire Kerr, granddaughter of the founder of Burts said: "We will miss Malcolm for so many reasons but know that he will make the most of his retirement and will enjoy spending more time with his wife Laura and travelling all over the UK.

"He has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside over the last three decades and we will continue his friendly and approachable style for generations to come."

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories

  • County Durham three-bed with "huge potential" auctioned at £23,000

    A terraced house in Willington, County Durham, located on High Street, is available at auction with a guide price of £23,000.

  • Relax in style at this nostalgic Darlington retro barber shop

    WITH voting for The Northern Echo’s Best Hairdresser or Barber competition just days away from closing, your favourite salon needs your support!

  • The best deals and offers at Manchester restaurants for Graduation 2024

    10 places to celebrate your Graduation in Manchester

  • ‘Málaga for living, not surviving’: Locals protest tourism amid rising rents and gentrification

    Spain’s anti-tourism activism has arrived in Málaga, where locals are angry over soaring rent prices.

  • Shop boss fined thousands for not complying with enforcement notice from 14 years ago

    THE owner of a Conservation Area business has been ordered to pay over £8,000 for failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued almost 14 years ago.

  • Here’s a 75p penny stock that has the potential to almost triple!

    Zaven Boyrazian looks at an up-and-coming natural resource penny stock that's potentially on track to thrive as demand for copper surges with EVs. The post Here’s a 75p penny stock that has the potential to almost triple! appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

  • £1, £2, £3, £4: what’s to stop the Rolls-Royce share price reaching £10?

    After the stunning performance of the Rolls-Royce share price in the past 18 months, can it keep going? This writer looks at some potential scenarios. The post £1, £2, £3, £4: what’s to stop the Rolls-Royce share price reaching £10? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK.

  • Time to test your IQ! Take this pub quiz to find out your score

    Find out how good your general knowledge is with our quiz that will get you ready for your next trip to the pub.

  • James Timpson knows the secret to making money – very happy staff

    This article was first published in March

  • China autos group 'strongly dissatisfied' with EU anti-subsidy tariffs

    The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) is "strongly dissatisfied" with anti-subsidy tariffs proposed by the European Union, the industry group said in a statement on Saturday. Manufacturers had cooperated with the European Commission's investigation into Chinese subsidies, but the inquiry had ignored the facts and preselected results, CAAM said in a post on the Chinese messaging app WeChat. The EU imposed tariffs of up to 37.6% on imports of electric vehicles made in China from Friday, with a four-month window during which the tariffs are provisional with intensive talks expected between the two sides.

  • 4,000 unsafe items set for eBay seized by Suffolk Trading Standards

    Suffolk Trading Standards has seized thousands of unsafe products set to be sold on eBay.

  • A self-employed Gen Zer shares why she isn't planning to go back to working for anyone else

    Rachel Wells doesn't see herself ever working for an employer again, given the perks of being fully self-employed and trying different income streams.

  • China hints at targets in EV tariff battle

    STORY: China has dropped some hints about how it could retaliate against EU tariffs on its electric vehicle exports. The Commerce Ministry said Friday it would hold a hearing to examine claims European brandy producers are selling into the country at below market rates. Officials have also referred to another probe into EU pork exports. Analysts say the targets were chosen to pressure Spain and France - which have been among the strongest backers of the new levies. Europe this week imposed import tariffs of up to 37.6% on China-made EVs. That will hit local brands like BYD, but also Chinese-made cars from western firms including Tesla. The tariffs are provisional, while Brussels conducts a probe in Beijing’s support for its carmakers. China has said both sides should stay at the negotiating table for now. Officials have said they don’t want another trade war, but will take all necessary steps to protect Chinese firms. Reports in state-backed media indicate other possible targets for retaliation. That could include dairy products and luxury cars. The EU tariffs have also divided opinion in Europe. German automakers have called for them to be scrapped, fearing they could be a target for Beijing’s response.

  • Johnny Depp has branded his Hollywood career 'sometimes tragic'

    Referring to the ups and downs of his work while accepting a movie award, Johnny Depp has branded his Hollywood career “sometimes tragic”.

  • North Sea oil producers urge Labour's Starmer for tax clarity

    North Sea oil and gas producers urged Britain's incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer to provide clarity on his election promise to increase tax on the sector, warning it could lead to a rapid decline in output and revenue. Starmer's Labour Party swept to power in a parliamentary election on Thursday, ending 14 years of Conservative government. David Whitehouse, Chief Executive of industry body Offshore Energies UK, said the sector and investors were deeply concerned over Labour's plans.

  • Is America saving enough for retirement?

    Despite high inflation, Vanguard found that Americans set aside funds for retirement at the highest rates ever.

  • Employee wellbeing focus of Encirc's new mental health strategy

    Encirc, a significant player in glass container design, manufacturing, and logistics solutions, has pledged to prioritise employee health and wellbeing.

  • China steps up pressure with EU brandy probe hearing as EV tariffs begin

    BEIJING (Reuters) -China announced the next step in its anti-dumping investigation into European brandy imports on Friday, ramping up tension on the day the European Commission's provisional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles take effect. Ahead of the bloc confirming tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese-made EVs on Thursday, a commerce ministry spokesperson told a news conference that Brussels and Beijing should keep negotiating, but kept the prospect of retaliation was alive with a reference to another investigation into EU pork imports.

  • Oil Posts Weekly Gain as Hurricane, Stockpile Drop Extend Rally

    (Bloomberg) -- Oil posted its fourth straight weekly advance, with declining US stockpiles and Hurricane Beryl extending crude’s early-summer rally.Most Read from BloombergBiden Narrows Gap With Trump in Swing States Despite Debate LossIran Elects President Who Wants to Revive Nuclear Talks With WestBiden’s Defiant Interview Unlikely to Calm Democratic NervesTrump Distances Bid From Second-Term Agenda Pushed by AlliesA $14 Billion Walmart Heir Joins Novogratz Urging Biden ExitWest Texas Intermed

  • ConocoPhillips Sues Over Biden Arctic Plan That Thwarts Drilling

    (Bloomberg) -- ConocoPhillips sued to block a Biden administration ban on drilling across nearly half the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, claiming the measure violates a federal law that compels oil development there.Most Read from BloombergBiden Narrows Gap With Trump in Swing States Despite Debate LossIran Elects President Who Wants to Revive Nuclear Talks With WestBiden’s Defiant Interview Unlikely to Calm Democratic NervesTrump Distances Bid From Second-Term Agenda Pushed by AlliesA $1