9 Nov 2026 Shop News

Maxine Wallis reflects on 24 wonderful years with The Kirkwood as she prepares for retirement

After 24 years of dedication, friendship and unforgettable memories, Maxine Wallis, Shop Manager at The Kirkwood's Huddersfield shop, is preparing to retire, bringing to a close an incredible chapter of her life. Since joining The Kirkwood in 2002, Maxine has become a familiar and much-loved face in Huddersfield town centre, building lasting relationships with colleagues, volunteers and customers while helping to raise vital funds to support people affected by life limiting illnesses across Kirklees.

As she prepares to say goodbye to the shop she has proudly managed for more than two decades, Maxine has been reflecting on her journey, the people who have made it so special and some of the extraordinary memories she will treasure forever.

Maxine's connection with The Kirkwood began long before she became a member of the retail team. Hearing about the compassionate care provided to friends' loved ones inspired her interest in the charity. She explained: "My interest in The Kirkwood came about from listening to friends who had had relatives cared for at the hospice and the difference it had made to their lives. I also use to shop at their Dewsbury shop and there saw the advert for Deputy Manager position at the Huddersfield Shop. I have always loved retail and had worked and trained at ASDA for 8 years so applied and got the job."

Having secured the position, Maxine began learning about charity retail, spending time at The Kirkwood's Holmfirth shop and gaining experience across its other shops. She recalled: "Most of my training was at the Holmfirth Shop as the Deputy Manager there was to become the new Huddersfield Shop manager.

"I also worked one day at the other 6 shops to get an overview and also worked on the van with deliveries and picking up donations. After about 16 months the position of shop manager became available and with encouragement from volunteers applied and got the position. I was filled with pride and have been every day since."

For Maxine, moving into charity retail presented new challenges, but it also introduced her to the extraordinary generosity of the people who give their time and donations to support The Kirkwood.

She said: "My journey to becoming the shop manager was spent training on all aspects of charity shop retailing which was vastly different from anything I had done before. I was lucky to learn from my brilliant manager who set the bar high with high standards of sorting, merchandising and displays and to this day these standards have always been maintained.

"Working with volunteers was also new to me and felt so uplifting to work alongside people giving up time to help others. I was and still am humbled by people bringing in donations and shows just how much love and respect people have for each other and The Kirkwood."

Throughout her career, Maxine has witnessed significant changes to Huddersfield town centre, but her passion for retail and the local community has never diminished. She remembers a time when the high street was filled with bustling shops and vibrant window displays, something that inspired her from an early age.

Maxine said: "Back in 2003 the high street was completely different with bustling streets and thriving shops. Every shop on our street had an array of lovely shops now there are just 3 shops open out of 10 on our block. Our loyal customers still see us as a destination and as ever we are always happy to serve them."

For Maxine, the shop has always represented much more than somewhere to buy donated goods. It has been a place where friendships have developed, conversations have taken place and people have found comfort during difficult moments.

She explained: "My proudest achievements have been working alongside such a great and diverse team.  Retail is so much more than getting a sale and I will always bang the drum for the highstreet. One customer who had just received devastating news regarding her health came straight into the shop to find me and needed to tell someone and off load."

Maxine's love for creating an inviting shopping experience stretches back to her childhood, when Huddersfield's impressive shop windows first captured her imagination. She added: "As a small child growing up in the 60's & 70's Huddersfield town centre was a different place to how it is now. I was mesmerised by the beautiful shops and wonderful shop windows and always thought if I were lucky enough to have my own shop this is how I want it to look. The Kirkwood gave me the opportunity to do this."

Among Maxine's many memories, one particularly remarkable experience stands out, involving music superstar Elton John and singer Lulu. In 2005, when the pair were preparing to perform at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium now the ACCU stadium, Maxine saw an opportunity to create a spectacular shop window display. She decided to contact both artists' offices, hoping they might be able to contribute something special.

Maxine recalled: "Weeks before the concert I wrote letters to Elton John's and Lulu's offices asking if they could send us anything we could use for a window display we were planning around this concert. I was stunned when one morning I received a phone call from Elton John's office offering to send many items including a limited edition commemorative Greatest Hits award signed by Elton. Usually the only place to buy one of these is at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and they normally retail for $850."

The generous response provided a fantastic opportunity to raise money for The Kirkwood, while giving the volunteers plenty of reasons to celebrate. Maxine said: "We had great fun with the volunteers getting into the spirit of dressing up in feather boas, glitter wigs and all thing 'Elton'. Lulu's office sent lovely signed photo's which we sold off."

The signed award went on to raise an impressive £700 at The Kirkwood's Titanic Ball, and Maxine and her colleagues were even treated to tickets for the concert. She added: "The greatest hits award print was auctioned off at The Kirkwood Hospice Titanic Ball and raised £700. We also received free tickets for the Elton/Lulu concert and had the most fabulous evening."

The experience even attracted attention from local radio stations, giving Maxine another memorable moment from her time with the charity.

Maxine's dedication to the town centre extended beyond the shop itself. Over the years, she and her volunteers enthusiastically participated in local initiatives, including Huddersfield in Bloom, window display competitions and events organised by the Huddersfield Town Centre Partnership.

The shop also developed a strong relationship with the Huddersfield Examiner, with volunteers enjoying opportunities to model charity shop fashion for newspaper features. Maxine recalled: "We had a great relationship with the Huddersfield Examiner, one of their reporters, Hilare Stellfox, used our shop to promote charity shop fashion many times. Our volunteers had a great time modelling and posing for pictures."

These experiences helped create a sense of pride and togetherness among the team, strengthening the shop's connection with the wider Huddersfield community.

While there have been countless achievements and special occasions, Maxine believes the people she has met throughout her career have been the greatest reward. From dedicated volunteers and supportive colleagues to loyal customers who have become friends, the relationships built over the years have made her time with The Kirkwood truly special.

She said: "I have been blessed with working with the most amazing colleagues and volunteers who have supported me through good and challenging times. I could not have done it without all of them. They have all been a big part of my life and forever friends, plans to meet up regularly for coffee are already being hatched."

Maxine has also had the pleasure of watching generations of families visit the shop, sharing in their stories and becoming part of their lives. She added: "It has also been an absolute pleasure serving the wonderful people of Huddersfield and beyond with many becoming friends. We've shared stories and I've watched their babies grow up into the next generation of charity shoppers.

"As my granddaughter, Isabelle, told me after a recent shopping trip to town 'grandma, do you know everyone in this town'! I'm happy to say I know a lot of them."

After dedicating so much of her life to The Kirkwood, Maxine admits that the decision to retire has not been an easy one. Following the loss of her father last December, she has taken time to reflect on her priorities and is looking forward to spending more time with her family, enjoying her garden and embracing a slower pace of life.

Maxine explained: "The decision to retire has been very emotional as I have loved my job so much. Loosing my lovely dad last December has made me reassess my life and I'm looking forward to spending more time with family and give a bit more thought to my own health and wellbeing. I am looking forward not having the alarm going off at 5.30am and worrying if the bus will turn up. I love my garden and look forward to sitting quietly, coffee in hand enjoying the peace and bird songs."

Although excited about what lies ahead, Maxine knows she will miss the people who have been such an important part of her everyday life. She said: "I shall miss everyone connected to the shop they have been my second family. I've probably spent more time at the shop than my own home. I hope I will be remembered as hard working, who gave my all every day with a smile and a dash of good humour. It was my vocation and I genuinely cared."

As Maxine prepares to begin her retirement, she is delighted that the Huddersfield shop will be managed by someone who has worked closely alongside her for many years. Anedin Husarevic, who has served as Deputy Manager for the past decade, he will take over the role and continue building on the foundations Maxine and the team have established.

Maxine said: "A big thank you to The Kirkwood for having faith in me to manage this wonderful shop. I know it is in the safe hands of the new shop manager, Anedin who has been my brilliant deputy manager over the past ten years. I know Anedin will go from strength to strength building on what we have worked on over the years."

After 24 remarkable years, Maxine leaves behind far more than a successful charity shop. Her kindness, enthusiasm and dedication have helped create a welcoming environment where volunteers feel valued, customers feel supported and the Huddersfield community continues to come together for The Kirkwood. Everyone with The Kirkwood would like to thank Maxine for her outstanding contribution and wish her a very happy, healthy and well deserved retirement.