Street couple left confused after Clarks stop their pension loyalty card but not those of their friends

A couple from Street say they have been left confused after a loyalty discount they receive for being Clarks pensioners is being stopped - even though their friends are going to continue to get the benefit.

Brian and Pat Linham have been left disappointed after receiving a letter telling them their yearly Clarks discount card was being stopped, and they have not been able to speak to anyone at the Street firm to ask why it is being removed for them but not other Clarks pensioners.

Clarks have told Street Nub News that the cards are being stopped for a "select group of pensioners who no longer have a connection with the company".

Pat said: "As Clarks pensioners we were lucky enough to be issued with a yearly discount card which all Clarks pensioners have as a thank you for their service to the company.

"The card gives you discount off of shoes and handbags, and is issued every year and renewed yearly.

"This year the old card ran out at the end of July and we waited for the new card to arrive. We checked with friends who said they had received their cards which normally come well before the run out date.

"We contacted the pensions office who gave us an email address to contact. When we had a reply they explained they were a bit behind getting them out and we should receive our cards in the following couple of weeks.

"After just a few days we received a letter saying that as a token gift they would be giving us a card to spread out over two years and then they would no longer be letting us have one.

"We are a little confused as our friends have yearly cards and we now don't. We are either Clarks pensioners or we are not, and the letter doesn't give us a reason.

"Of course, we are very lucky to have discount cards but we have tried to talk to Clarks' pension office but they said it wasn't their department and that we needed to talk to human resources, but we can't ring them so tried an email but had no joy from them either."

Clarks have said that some cards are being stopped following a benefit review for former employees.

A Clarks spokesperson said: "At Clarks, we continually review our benefit package for our current and former employees to ensure its fair and competitive to others in our industry.

"Due to changes in how our pension schemes are administered and related data protection regulations, we've had to discontinue offering a Clarks discount card to a select group of pensioners and former employees who no longer have an ongoing connection with the company.

"We understand the disappointment this may have caused, and as such have issued a standalone special edition discount card to all those affected, which will be valid until July 31 2022."