When many people joined the staff of Kays, they thought they had a job for life.

At its peak the catalogue firm employed nearly 6,000 people in the city.

But in February 2007 that belief was shattered when the last of the workers left the Bransford Road warehouse site for good.

Sean Glennon, 44, was the senior shop steward and Transport and General Workers union member and had been with Kays for 16 years.

Twelve months on and despite many attempts to settle in a new job, Mr Glennon, of St John's, remains unemployed.

"I did have a few months of work in the summer for the union but I am currently on the dole and there doesn't seem to be much on the horizon. I have been looking for work," he said.

Speaking of the impact the closure had, Mr Glennon said: "It did hit quite hard. Anything of that enormity can't help but have a big impact."

He also believes there is an equal split in ex-colleagues being able to find work and those still struggling.

Andy Simcock, 48, of Rushwick, was one of the lucky ones who managed to find work within a month.

But for him, the closure was like losing his family after working there for 30 years. He even met his wife Jennifer at the firm.

"The first month was really hard. I applied for a lot of jobs and got quite a few knock-backs. For the first week I think I was in shock.

"Suddenly a girl I knew asked if I wanted to work with her in Coral. I jumped at the chance."

He added: "But it was strange after working at Kays for so long. I have been at my new job 11 months now. It wasn't easy settling in but the people I work with now are great.

"But I still sometimes wish I could go back to the place I worked for 30 years.

"When I left that day I knew it would never be the same again."

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