Trolley collectors tote up 20 years at Countdown Trafalgar Square

Trolley collectors Matt Tawi (left) and Shem at Countdown Trafalgar Square. Photo/Bevan Conley

Countdown Trafalgar Square trolley collectors Matt Tawi and Shem started work on the same day - and now they're celebrating 20 years of working together.

During that time they've seen many changes at Trafalgar Square, including the supermarket changing from Foodtown to Countdown, and met lots of people.

"I like meeting different people every day, being out in the public and trying to help people," Matt said.

"I like to help people, especially with things like the bags of potting mix which are really heavy," Shem said.

They are out collecting trolleys in all weathers and also pick them up around town when people don't return them. Matt's record is 17 trolleys from one property.

However, these days the Countdown delivery truck does a lot of the pickups around town, leaving the collectors to focus on trolleys at Trafalgar Square.

With some other Countdown Trafalgar Square staff clocking up 27 or 28 years of service, the pair aren't the longest-serving staff but say they're in the top five.

Photo/Bevan Conley