IT is rare for John Bonello to walk through Stroud and not meet somebody he knows.

The 66-year-old's face is one of the most recognised in the town after almost four decades at the Merrywalks Centre.

And even though he has now been retired for three months, he still maintains an active interest in the comings and goings at the shopping mall.

The idea of not turning out for work every morning is still very much a novelty for John, who at one time combined 13-hour days at Merrywalks with running a successful engraving company.

Stroud's only mall had just been built when he first joined the staff as a part-time caretaker, before going on to become its manager five years later.

And throughout his 37 years there John witnessed many highs and lows, not least the recent extension of the centre to include a cinema and bowling alley.

The decision by Somerfield to move out of Merrywalks last month caused him a great deal of sadness, especially as the site had always been occupied by supermarkets, and he urged the people of Stroud to treat it as a warning as to what could happen if they didn't make sufficient use of other facilities in the town.

"I am sad about what has happened," he said.

"Another tenant will take over eventually, but it will not be overnight.

"I think the people of Stroud now have a better Merrywalks Centre than they did 30 years ago and it's now up to them to make the most of it. People have cried out over the years for a cinema and now they have one - along with a bowling alley - but if they don't use them they will lose them."

John, who lives in Ebley, was presented with travel vouchers by his employers Streetlands to mark his retirement and he is very much looking forward to making the most of them over the coming months, with a holiday in Australia high on his list.

He has bought a computer and is attending IT sessions at the Stonehouse Neighbourhood Project so that he can use the internet to research travel deals and keep in touch with his family and many friends throughout the world.

He also plans to spend more time with his four grandchildren and his wife of 41 years, Jane.

John was born in Egypt to Maltese parents and came to the UK as a 16-year-old refugee at the height of the Suez crisis in 1956.

Back then he did not know a word of English but could converse in several other languages and learned his new tongue while working as a storeman for a French-speaking businessman.

After a lifetime of hard work, John is now able to look back proudly on his achievements.

"I started with nothing and have gone up to being a well known figure in this town," he said.

"I would like to thank everybody for the wonderful gifts and cards I received from colleagues and Merrywalks tenants when I retired.

"I miss Merrywalks, the people I worked with, the tenants and other organisations that I was in regular contact with.

"I am proud of what I have achieved: I can walk with my head held up high."