Dave Langton
Southdowns Accessory Shop
Interviewed in Autumn 2016
David is the new face behind the counter in the Southdowns retail shop. During a rare quiet moment, we asked him how he is settling in.
Q How long have you been at Southdowns and what were you doing before
joining the company?
A Ive been at Southdowns for almost two months. Before that I was working
for a care company, managing two care homes. The hours were unsociable and it
was a stressful job so I decided I needed to make a career change. I have worked
for B&Q in the past so I do have retail experience but Ive never worked in the
leisure industry so Im on a steep learning curve when it comes to motorhome
accessories and camping equipment.
Q What does your job involve on a day-to-day basis?
A I deal with customers who come into the shop, although Trevor (Henry) the
shop manager does most of the customer-facing work. My main role is dealing with
our online retail lines, fulfilling customers orders. These can be anything
from a new awning or a panel for a motorhome to a bike rack. We sell virtually
everything we stock online, apart from gas bottles – for obvious reasons! At
this time of year people are mainly ordering accessories but we do get around 20
customers a day coming into the shop and thats mainly people who have come in
either to have their van serviced or pick up a new vehicle.
Q What do you think of the company so far?
A Rod Freeman, who works on the sales team, is my brother-in-law so I knew a bit
about the company from him. He recommended that I apply for the job because he
thought I would enjoy the work and get on with the people here. So far he has
been proved right. Everyone is very friendly and approachable. Im on a steep
learning curve at the moment, so its very useful to have Trevor here and former
retail manager Stephen Mead - who is the fount of all knowledge – is here on
Tuesdays and weekends, so I have plenty of support.
Q Do you have a personal interest in motorhomes?
A I've had caravans in the past so I've got a reasonable understanding of
the way the internal systems work but Id love to borrow one of the motorhomes
just for the experience.
Q What would be your idea of the perfect holiday?
A I'm taking my wife to Sorrento on an adults-only, all-inclusive holiday
for our 25th wedding anniversary – that's about as close to perfect as it gets
for me.
David lives in Gosport with his wife Hayley and his 21-year old daughter Imogen. Interviewed in Autumn 2016