Veolia, who operate the street cleaning and bin emptying contracts in Croydon, have been forced to back down over a decision to ban one of their employees in neighbouring Bromley from taking a £3,000 trip of a lifetime to Portugal, after a holiday firm stepped in to award him the getaway as a competition prize.
Happy holidays: Veolia road sweeper Paul Spiers will now get to enjoy his dream holiday
Paul Spiers has been keeping the streets of Beckenham clean since 2017, and has become a recognisable local figure.
He has attached speakers to his dustcart, from which he plays Elvis Presley tracks while on his round.
He’s so popular locals set up an online fundraiser to raise money to send him on a trip abroad for his birthday. Hundreds of people chipped in to send 63-year-old Spiers on a £3,000 summer break in Portugal.
Lisa Knight, who set up the GoFundMe page, said: “Paul has been our dedicated Beckenham road sweeper since 2017, bringing joy to local residents and keeping our streets immaculate.
“I first met Paul when he started working here and it has been wonderful to see what a beloved member of the community he has become. His habit of playing music from his speaker while meticulously cleaning our streets lifts everyone’s spirits with his positive presence.”
Competition winners: how On The Beach found a way around the Veolia ban
But miserable Veolia bosses said he couldn’t accept the £3,000 gift because of the terms of his contract.
Until, that is, a holiday company stepped in and created a competition that only Spiers could possibly win. The prize? A holiday to Portugal, worth £3,000!
“I’m over the moon!” Spiers told ITV News London after being told he would be able to pack his suitcase and jet off to the resort. “I’m very grateful.
“I’m just doing my job, my everyday job, but residents seem to appreciate it a lot.”
A Veolia spokesperson said: “We are truly grateful for the support and recognition shown by the community to Paul, who alongside a hard-working street cleansing team, does a fantastic job keeping Bromley’s streets clean.”
They had said that the original donation was not allowed because the company’s contract with Bromley Council “does not permit our staff to accept any monies or incentives outside of agreed pay structures”.
At the time when they announced the ban on Spiers accepting the gift, Veolia did say that it would match the amount of money raised and donate it to a charity nominated by Spiers.
Then holiday firm On The Beach came up with the competition prize wheeze. Veolia backed down from its ban (a “competition win” is obviously not the same as a monetary gift), even agreeing to give Spiers an extra week of paid leave to enjoy his special break.
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Heart-warming. But I think it was LBC’s Nick Ferrari that won it for Paul. And, I was heartened to see that Veolia have made Paul ‘Bromley’s Employee of the Quarter’. whatever the f that is.