Reg Buttress, believed to be Britain’s oldest shop, worker has died aged 94 – two months after retiring
Reg Buttress, believed to be Britain’s oldest shop, worker has died aged 94 – two months after retiring Sainsbury's

A great-grandfather believed to be Britain's oldest shop worker has died aged 94 – just two months after retiring.

Reg Buttress worked at the Sainsbury's store in Cwmbran, south Wales, for over three decades, where he became a well-liked figure.

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The former collier's mate and steam engine driver retired – for the second time – in September after celebrating his 94th birthday.

He held a number of jobs at the supermarket, including collecting trolleys, stacking shelves, pricing items and greeting customers.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Reg was a much loved colleague and an inspiration to all of us. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time. He will be missed."

Buttress first began working for Sainsbury's in Cwmbran, his hometown, in 1981 at 59. He worked there until his first retirement after hitting 65.

But following a few weeks he returned to work after becoming bored at home. Buttress was married for 65 years to Gwendoline, who died two years ago.

His grandson David Buttress paid tribute to him on Twitter.

He said: "Thank you all for all the lovely messages regarding the passing of our Grandad. Reg was a truly amazing man and inspiration to all of the Buttress clan.

"Life won't quite be the same without him, especially rugby but we have a million laughs and loving moments to remember with him."

Buttress' working life started more than eight decades ago when he was 13 at Hafodyrynys colliery, in Caerphilly.

But when he was laid off there he worked in a factory in Birmingham, returning to south Wales during the Second World War after his Midlands home was bombed.

He worked on the railways in Pontypool and later took a job at a nylon factory before eventually joining Sainsbury's.

Buttress told WalesOnline in August that what he liked most about working in Sainsbury's was meeting customers.

He said: "I enjoy my work and meeting the people that come in. I enjoy coming to work, I always have. I've had a job since I was 13, I was never out of work."