GLORIA Gibson says she fell in love with Huddersfield after bringing her student daughter to look around the town’s university.

Now the Dalton woman has retired from a 50-year career in retailing – latterly as manager of the Rhythm and Booze off-licence in Marsh.

Coventry-born Gloria began her career as a teenager in floristry for a number of years before a spell in the pub trade after her marriage.

She later joined the Thresher’s wine merchant chain in Kenilworth, near her home city.

She came to Huddersfield 18 years ago when her daughter Leigh was deciding which university to attend.

Leigh went on to get a doctorate in engineering while Gloria finally moved to the town in 2004 when a vacancy arose for manager of the Wine Rack store at Westbourne Road.

Gloria, who lives in Dyson Street, Dalton, had more than 22 years continual service with the company, which became part of Threshers.

When that chain went into administration in 2009, the Marsh store was acquired by independent operator Rhythm and Booze – and Gloria kept her job.

She says: “I love it here. The people are a lot friendlier and the pace of life is slower than in my home city.

“What kept me in the Midlands was that my elderly parents were still alive. Later, I had the opportunity to move to Huddersfield to take the manager’s job.

“I have loved my job, but I’m 65 now – and the store has been taken over by Bibby Retail and I don’t want to work for a big company again.”

Staff at the store presented Gloria with flowers and chocolates to mark her retirement and plan a celebratory evening meal. Gloria has also received cards, flowers and wine from customers.

She plans to spend more time at her allotment and next year will travel to New Zealand to see her son, Myles.

She also enjoys crocheting and baking unusual cakes – with chocolate and Guinness cake a firm favourite.

Gloria is also a member of Kirkheaton Women’s Institute and the Huddersfield Dolls House and Miniatures Club.

She plans to devote time to building a doll’s house from a kit for her three-year-old granddaughter Madison.