Town retail stalwart honoured

THANKS: Long-time Carterton businessman Alex McLeod (left) was congratulated and thanked at a full meeting of Carterton District Council yesterday for his services to the town and district over the past 50 years. Mr McLeod attended the meeting with his wife Sally and was awarded a certificate of thanks by Carterton Mayor Ron Mark. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Carterton district councillors yesterday lauded retiring businessman and "legend" Alex McLeod for decades of dedication to the district as a retailer and business role model.

Carterton Mayor Ron Mark presented Mr McLeod with a certificate of recognition and thanks for his decades of commitment to the town, and his successful retail strategy that had attracted customers to Carterton from throughout the greater Wellington region and country.

"The feeling around the council table and in the wider community was very strong that you deserve to be recognised and thanked for your enduring commitment and dedication to our town and district," Mr Mark said.

Mr McLeod and his wife Sally both attended the full council meeting, where he was showered with praise for becoming an entrepreneurial role model since opening his Alex McLeod's store in 1972.

Councillor Greg Lang, who co-chairs Carterton District Business Incorporated, said Mr McLeod had over the decades provided quality products and a high level of service that deserved to be acknowledged and emulated.

"You've seen so many things change and, on behalf of the Carterton business community, thank you very much. Your legend will live on," he said.

Mr McLeod said he was selling the High St store as a going concern and was pleased staff were likely to keep their jobs after his retirement.

"In retail today you need new, young blood and new people and I can assure you it's not the end of the men's and women's wear store and all of my staff will be staying on," he said. "Thank you for your kind words, it's quite overwhelming."