Ritchie Minnell's long association with Mainstreet Whanganui appears to be over.
The former operations manager and Mainstreet Santa whose role with the organisation was made redundant in late 2016 has been doing work as a contractor for the past year.
But his contract ran out in March and while he was keen to stay on he said Mainstreet have not told him if there is work for him or not.
On his last Friday he packed his gear into the workshop went home and hasn't been back.
"No one came and said 'thank you Ritchie'. I've never had a goodbye. Nothing from Mainstreet," Minnell said.
Instead, his daughter arranged a collection among shop owners and Minnell was given a leaving card and a watch.
"I was overwhelmed. I couldn't believe that they thought to do that," he said.
"I'm humbled by what the shopkeepers have done there. They've been amazing support."
But he said there had been a lack of communication about the end of his role at Mainstreet.
"I think it's a kick in the teeth as far as I'm concerned, after 17 years."
Minnell started as operations manager at Mainstreet in 2001 helping to look after the CBD as part of Mainstreet's contract with the Whanganui District Council.
Minnell said he'd loved the job.
"I took it pretty seriously because I loved the job and loved the people and I had the respect of the board and the council," Minnell said.
Last year Minnell was replaced as Santa for Mainstreet's Christmas parade - a role he played for 15 years. Mainstreet declined to comment on why at the time.
Minnell has now found other employment.
Mainstreet's executive chairman Ross Fallen told the Chronicle: "Now that this has been drawn to our attention by the press, we are totally surprised by this article.
"We will contact Mr Minnell and invite him into a mediation process. We value all our staff (past and present) equally regardless of service length and skillset they provide."