In September 1983 I arrived at Stirling to seek out somewhere to live before I took up a job at the University. I had been to Scotland once before, but that was a rugby weekend, and memories even then were scanty or embargoed, to say the least. I almost got killed by a Co-op milk lorry in West Wales on the way back, but that’s another tale, though it explains my aversion to the Co-op for a decade or so.
Six months or so after arriving in Stirling we got married and ended up in St. Ninians and have never really moved away. At the time I had six months on my contract so never imagined I would still be at the University some 41 years later.
I’ve been a Professor since 1992, and led the Institute for Retail Studies, the Department of Marketing, and the Stirling Management School before, after something of a hiatus (aka a seven-year sulk), becoming Founding Head of Stirling Graduate School and since 2016 a Deputy Principal.
It’s been a blast. Having a job that allows me to use the few skills I have and to follow my research, retail and towns/place interests has been a privilege. But there comes a time to wind down and call it a day, and 41 years is a good innings. For context, the University has been open 57 years!
So, I have decided it is time to retire from the University at the end of September 2024.
But, for the avoidance of doubt, I will still be doing for a while my Scotland Towns Partnership work, have some research and writing I would like to complete and there is always my Argos catalogues and the Institute for Retail Studies Archive preparation to fill any spare time I have.
No doubt I will reflect on the last 41 years at Stirling at some point, but until September I am focusing on my Deputy Principal role, which is more than enough.
Stirlingretail 
An amazing 41 years Leigh and it has been a real pleasure and education for me personally on the many things we have done on towns et al! Thank you and all the best for a well earned retirement in September!
Matthew, thanks for the comment, but as I say in the penultimate paragraph you may not be fully shot of me yet!
A good knock, indeed, Leigh – and doubtless a well earned rest from parts of your busy schedule. Experience suggests those gaps get filled!
Regrettably I am unable to get up to Edinburgh and Stirling today/tomorrow as I had hoped but would enjoy catching up next time I’m in the vicinity.
Best wishes for the rest of the Retail exhibition and your time at the University.
Huw
Sent from my iPad
Thanks Huw. Just shout when you up this way.
Welcome to the ranks of pensioners Leigh…! 😁 However, as you know, old academics, never retire or fade away. Myself and some of our other colleagues from Scotland who were active in logistics and retail are evidence of that… 🤣
Thanks for the collaborations and your support over the past 20+ years after I arrived in Scotland from Canada. I look forward to our continuing relationship on the current book project. You should have more free time on your hands though, especially as you will be out of administrative duties.
I wish you a relaxing retirement like the rest of us. But, you don’t golf like me and John Fernie though, do you?
Best, David
Thanks David. As for golf, a good walk, spoilt, in my view.
You deserve a rest Leigh. I wish you a long and happy retirement. Larry
Thanks Larry
As I’ve already said online today Leigh, your retirement is end of an era stuff. I much appreciated how you brought academic integrity and a solid ‘real economy’ savviness into the field of urban regeneration, especially in a context of retail and town – and especially during my time delivering the Open Fora programme for SURF (Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum). I’m sure you will greatly enjoy retirement, I know I do appreciate the greater freedom to sally forth with the opinionating and judgements! Doubtless your enthusiastic gardening interest will contribute to your enjoyment of life in retirement.
Thanks for this. Means a lot. Your penultimate sentence is one I particularly like !
Goan yirself Leigh, sally forth! 🙂
Respected Prof,
Thanks for penning down the glimpses of your academic journey. Its was insightful for me as an academician interested in retailing to read your blog posts. All would still wait for atleast one article from you even if you are retired. Wishing a fulfilling retirement life ahead. Wishing the Best for you and family.
Good week ahead.
Regards, Jayakrishnan.S, India.
Well done. Enjoy your retirement…you have done enough now. Time to spend some time doing othet things. I was at Manchester Met for 39 years so you have a few more years more than me. I enjoyed my visits to Stirling…my son graduated from there in the 1990s. A lovely place. I usef to catch up with my old friend Danny Moss too. Best wishes, Alan.