Striking a balance meant a better deal for Kingston dry cleaning staff after their boss found more time for them.

One 80-year-old employee likes the changes so much she has no intention of retiring!

Classic Cleaners, in Park Road, is a small company run by a former advertising executive who desperately wanted to expand.

So she neglected salary increases or bonuses for her hard-working staff.

Janet Lakhani realised she needed to rethink her attitude after consulting Strike The Balance.

It was set up with European Union funding and aims to help business sort out their priorities.

Mrs Lakhani said: "It helped improve my relationship with staff which I had never considered.

"As part of a small company they do not receive great wages so I needed to be more sympathetic and attentive to keep them.

"I now know they should be my number one priority, and I must be sympathetic to their needs, especially for time off."

One staff member who is a freemason has an afternoon off once a month.

She employs an 80-year-old who cannot work as regularly as others.

"The lady has 56 years' experience in this business which is much more than I have.

"She is invaluable with endless tips on the business which I really benefit from.

Janet and her husband now plan to expand.

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