Longest serving worker at Brent Cross Shopping Centre retires after 37 years
Randolph Sandiford is retiring after 37 years at Brent Cross Shopping Centre - Credit: Archant
A loyal security guard who has looked after visitors at Brent Cross Shopping Centre since it opened its doors has hung up his uniform for good.
Randolph Sandiford has been greeting shoppers at the mall in Prince Charles Drive since 1976 – making him the longest serving member of staff.
The 79-year-old from Neasden, has become a familiar face over the last 37 years and has also guarded a host of VIP visitors including Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher, Muhammed Ali and Robert Mugabe.
Mr Sandiford was born in Guyana and served in the British Army for nine years with postings to Germany and Northern Ireland before he joined Brent Cross.
He said: “I remember it was a rush to get everything finished when I started working here.
“Brent Cross was the first shopping centre of its kind in the UK, so it was a big story and everything had to be right. I started off as a patrol officer when the centre first opened and since then worked in security and management until 2005 when I went into customer services.
“A highlight for me has to be when Prince Charles and Princess Diana came to officially open Prince Charles Drive. She was beautiful, like an angel and the crowds loved her. I have been lucky enough to see lots of famous people who have visited.”
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Mr Sandiford, who is known as Sandy, added: “It has been a great place to work and to meet so very many nice people.
The type of people who come here has changed a little as there’s lots more families and younger people which shows the centre has not lost its appeal for all generations.”
He said: “I want to see something of the world, just go where I feel like. A river cruise to Vienna is top of the list.”
The father of seven and grandfather of 16 now plans to travel the world with his wife Lucille.
