Hero road sweeper banned from taking dream journey lastly will get away
An adored street cleaner who was snubbed from going on a dream holiday by jobsworth bosses raises a cold pint in sun-soaked Portugal, telling supporters: ‘I’m having the time of my life.’
Elvis-loving Paul Spiers, 63, stepped foot on the golden sands of the Algarve just days after waste firm employers Veolia pulled the plug on a community crowdfunded trip – claiming strict rules prevent workers from accepting gifts.
More than 200 neighbours in Beckenham, south-east London, had raised more than £3,000 to send beloved Paul on only his second ever foreign getaway before Veolia managers cruelly stepped in.
Hard-working Paul, who cheers up locals by playing Elvis and Motown classics through a portable speaker while tidying the streets, captured the nation after his plight was exclusively revealed by MailOnline – prompting a travel firm to step forward with a ‘competition’ that only he could win.
Package holiday company, OnTheBeach, said the winner of the contest ‘must love Elvis, be between the ages of 62 and 64, have a surname of Spiers, be a street cleaner in Beckenham and be loved by your local community’.
Paul Spiers, 63, (pictured) hopes to visit Albufeira’s cobblestone old town for a few beers – and to grab some souvenirs to take home on Saturday
Paul sunbathes by the pool during his dream trip to Portugal
Paul enjoys a beer at a beach bar in sunny Albufeira
Paul, a street cleaner from Beckenham, south-east London, on holiday in Portugal
Paul is ‘adored by all’ in the local community, according to his friend Lisa Knight, who hailed him for ‘lifting everyone’s spirits’ with his ‘positive presence’
Paul Spiers pictured with his friend and the organiser of the fundraiser: Lisa-Marie Knight
Paul (left) has only been abroad once, to Portugal, and has dreamed of going back ever since
Clutching his first lager at the Monica Isabel Beach Club in scorching holiday hotspot Albufeira, and unbuttoning his Hawaiian shirt, Paul told MailOnline: ‘I’m having the time of my life.
‘I can’t thank people enough for their support and for what they’ve done for me.
‘I’m just an ordinary road sweeper doing a job – I can’t believe that people would think that much of me. I can’t express my thanks enough.
‘A normal holiday for me would be Great Yarmouth or Kent. They’re lovely places but it’s a bit nicer in Portugal.
‘I just can’t put it into words what it means to be here and how kind everyone has been.
‘I never thought that I’d have another foreign holiday in my lifetime.
‘So this beer is for everyone back home who’s helped make this happen – and the next one, too!’
Locals in Beckenham each chipped in small sums to send beloved Paul to Portugal in a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, raising more than £3,300.
But Veolia then prevented Paul from taking the gift, claiming doing so would be in breach of its street cleaning contract with Bromley Council, which prohibits staff from taking monetary gifts or incentives.
The HR decision sparked fury from members of the public who labelled the decision ‘absolutely senseless’ and ‘vile’, and led to an MP demanding answers from council bosses.
Paul Spiers, 63, relaxes by the pool at the Monica Isabel Beach Club in Albufeira
Paul tries on sunglasses at a shop while on holiday in sunny Portugal
Paul goes shopping while on holiday in sunny Portugal
Paul holding up a bat and ball during his dream trip to Portugal
But Paul was finally on his way to Portugal on Saturday afternoon with brother Dave, 66, after OnTheBeach stepped in with its bespoke all-inclusive prize.
The Crystal Palace fan boarded his WizzAir flight from Gatwick to Faro after enjoying a taste of luxury in a VIP airport lounge.
Paul, who had never flown until turning 60, joked: ‘I wasn’t nervous on the plane, probably because we’d had a couple in the airport lounge beforehand.
‘I was looking out of the window the whole way, taking it all in. The captain said we were doing 500mph – but it looked about 5mph. It was so smooth.’
Paul Spiers, who turned 63 last week, has been cleaning the streets of Beckenham since 2017
Beckenham’s clean streets (pictured) which Paul has been working on for the last seven years
The gofundme page has raised almost £3,000 for Paul through kind donations from people in the community
Paul and his friend Lisa-Marie in Beckenham
Paul said he didn’t realise he was that well-liked by the local community
After landing, Paul and Dave enjoyed a private airport transfer to the three-star Monica Isabel Beach Club, overlooking the shimmering ocean. Paul selected the resort after visiting in 2021 – in his first taste of foreign soil.
He said: ‘I enjoyed it here so much last time. It was my first ever foreign holiday, and I dreamed of coming back ever since. The weather, the beach, the beer – it’s just paradise.’
The brothers toasted their arrival with a bottle of complimentary Champagne in their sea-view suite – before heading to the bar for a celebratory pint.
And after a restful night’s sleep, Paul wasted no time making the most of the 34 celsius sunshine – paddling in the sea and delving into the all-inclusive menu.
Clutching an espresso at a courtyard bar, Paul told of a mix-up at the buffet bar – thinking the calamari were onion rings and mistaking the breaded pork escalopes for hash browns.
Paul Spiers, a street cleaner from Beckenham, south-east London, on holiday in Portugal
Paul enjoys a beer at a beach bar in Albufeira during his holiday to Portugal
Paul has a good time on holiday in Portugal
He said: ‘It’s the first time for a lot of things. I’ve never had an espresso before – it’s not bad, is it? It might take a bit of time to get used to it.
‘Last night, I thought I put onion rings on my plate – but it turned out it was squid. But it was pretty nice – a nice surprise. We had a couple of plates from the buffet. We overate but I guess that’s what you do on holiday.
‘The food is great – I’m used to cod and chips, really. There’s so many dishes that I’ve never tried but I’m going to give them all a go.’
Paul, who told how he has been stopped for selfies and FaceTime chat with strangers after going viral last week, revealed plans to take a boat to go dolphin spotting in the Atlantic and explore the coastline’s hidden coves.
He also hopes to visit Albufeira’s cobblestone old town for a few beers – and to grab some souvenirs to take home on Saturday.
He said: ‘We’ve not got anything planned, we’re just going to play it by ear. Mostly, I just want to relax by the beach.
‘I’ve got an app and it says that usually at work I do 22,000 steps a day, which is around ten miles.
‘So it’s nice to put my feet up for a week.
‘Don’t get me wrong – I love my job. But if you’re asking me now if I’m excited to go back to work, then the answer’s no.
‘I’m planning on doing as little walking as possible.’
Paul does some shopping while on holiday in Portugal
Paul initially thought he would not be able to go on the dream trip to Portugal
Dave revealed how managers at Veolia – stinging from a public backlash – generously handed Paul an extra week’s paid leave for the foreign getaway.
He said: ‘Paul didn’t even have a passport until a couple of years ago. Going abroad on holiday was something other people did. It just wasn’t on his radar at all.
‘I’m hoping this trip will open Paul’s eyes and that he’ll get the travelling bug. It would be lovely to go and explore more of Europe with him.
‘Going viral has brought Paul out of his shell. He’s always been a quiet guy, who just gets on with things.
‘But to know how loved he is by people has put a bounce in his step. It’s been wonderful to see.’
Beckenham estate agent Lisa Knight, who set up the fundraising drive, said she was thrilled to hear of Paul’s holiday bliss.
Ms Knight, who was named Lisa Marie after Presley’s daughter, said: ‘I’m overjoyed that Paul is finally on a beach enjoying his dream holiday. When I started the fundraising this is all I wanted to happen.
‘So to know he is in the sunshine enjoying some well-deserved relaxation makes me and I’m sure the rest of the UK incredibly happy.
‘I want to say a huge thank you to the local community in Beckenham who have been so generous and have supported this cause right from the very start – it is a true testament to what a special place it is.’
Paul enjoys a beer at a beach bar in Albufeira during his trip
Locals in Beckenham each chipped in small sums to send beloved Paul to Portugal in a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, raising more than £3,300
Paul tries on a pair of sunglasses during his dream trip to Portugal
Paul sunbathes by the pool on a sunbed surrounded by stunning views
Paul said he had no bitterness towards his bosses, telling MailOnline: ‘It’s all fine’
Veolia said it had ‘no objection’ to Paul accepting OnTheBeach’s ‘competition’ prize. The company also offered to match the crowdfunded total and donate it to Cancer Research.
Bosses had also appeared to give Paul, who works a 1pm to 10pm street cleaning shift five-days-a-week but often starts early out of goodwill, a new cap to wear while going about his work.
Paul said he had no bitterness towards his bosses, telling MailOnline: ‘It’s all fine.
‘My boss has loved all the attention and the company has donated £3,000 to Cancer Research which is very generous of them.’
He added: ‘I’m planning on working until 70 so the community has got at least another seven years of me and my music.’
‘I didn’t realise how much they loved me but they do. I just like to make people happy – that’s why I bring my speaker out and play music.’
Paul also told of hopes to travel abroad more in the future – as long as his more travelled brother comes along as a helping hand.
Paul added: ‘I wouldn’t want to travel on my own because I’d get flustered at the airport.
‘But I would like to see more of the world with my brother. Maybe Spain or something, or up the road to Lisbon.’
Paul enjoys a beer at a beach bar in Albufeira surrounded by stunning views
Paul tries on a pair of oversized sunglasses during his trip to Portugal
The company later said it had no issue with Paul receiving his ‘competition’ prize
Manchester-based OnTheBeach sent Paul and Dave on their way to Portugal promising ‘all the food and drink their hearts desire’.
Chief customer officer Zoe Harrie said: ‘The people of Britain can breathe a sigh of relief, Paul Spiers is on a beach in Portugal at last.
‘It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for us all but we’re so happy knowing that millions of people will have a smile on their face looking at pictures of Paul living his best life on a Portuguese beach.’
Veolia insisted its contract with Bromley Council ‘does not permit our staff to accept any monies or incentives outside of agreed pay structures.’
The company later said it had no issue with Paul receiving his ‘competition’ prize.
A Veolia spokesperson said: ‘We understand that Paul has won a competition and we can confirm that we have no objection to him accepting his win.
‘We are very grateful for the support and recognition shown by the community to Paul, who alongside a hardworking street cleansing team, does a fantastic job keeping Bromley’s streets clean.
‘Our position regarding the funds raised by the community has not changed and the decision about what happens to that money is a matter for the fundraiser.
‘Veolia has matched the amount raised as of Friday 9th August and this will be donated to Cancer Research, a charity close to Paul’s heart.’
