Warehouse veteran Barry Lines has this week celebrated a stellar 35 years at TG Lynes - and reflected on two decades of the business being based in Enfield.

Having joined the company in 1989, Barry is one of six people still with the business to have worked at TG Lynes’ old home on Caledonian Road in King’s Cross.

“My brother was working for the company at the time and let me know they were looking for staff,” said Barry, now 58. “I had my interview with General Manager Bob Taylor and started straight away.

“I found myself in the warehouse unloading vehicles and picking orders. It was hard graft but it was a fantastic business to work for – and still is. We were a very close-knit team and many of us knew each other’s families.”

Barry was one of the first individuals to be transferred over the new premises when TG Lynes relocated to Enfield in 2004.

“The King’s Cross base was three buildings knocked into one with the warehouse in the basement,” remembered Barry. “It was difficult working conditions and there was stock all over the place.

“Parking was a nightmare in the area. It got to the point where the company was paying for customers’ parking fines.

“Enfield was completely different. I remember moving in and it was just an empty shell with all the shelving ready for us.

“Everything changed straight away. We could work smarter and much more efficiently in a clean and calm environment.

“It’s allowed the business to move to the next level and for us to vastly increase the number of orders we process.

“I just can’t believe it’s been 20 years, time has flown by.”

Despite having 35 years under his belt, Barry is only the fourth longest serving member of the TG Lynes team.

"It's great that there are so many long servers at the business," said Barry, a keen Wycombe Wanderers fan. "I've known Gaetan Rene, Michael Brett and Joe Kane for 35 years - we've grown up together.

"The company has always been very supportive. I've hardly had any time off but last year I was in hospital following a stroke. They allowed me to ease myself back into the warehouse, part-time at first before building back up.

 "I am still enjoying it and plan to keep going for a while yet!"