Most mother and daughter relationships involve a spot of retail therapy now and then, but for one Leeds pair shopping is on the agenda five days a week.
That is because Denise Jeffery and Anna Ramsden, from Rothwell, have top roles in two rival shopping centres in the city, working seconds apart at the St Johns Centre and The Core, on either side of The Headrow.
Denise, 58, and her daughter Anna, 30, even travel to work together, meaning shopping centre talk is business only for this pair.
St Johns Centre manager Denise said: “Of course there’s a bit of rivalry between us to achieve good footfall figures and retail sales.
“We’ve got a similar profile in terms of the retail mix in both centres and in today’s tough economic climate, attracting the shoppers can be a competitive game but it’s all good natured between us.”
Anna began working at The Core, formerly known as The Headrow Shopping Centre, seven years ago and has worked her way up to administration manager, running the centre in the absence of a centre manager in recent months.
The rival roles reared their heads 18 months ago when Denise, who started her retail career at what is now The Core in 1994, took up the centre manager’s job across the road after working in the North East.
But their careers in retail mean a relaxing day out in the shops is hardly an option.
She said: “We tend not to do shopping on a weekend as when you’re around it five days a week, it’s not something you want to do – it wouldn’t be top of my to do list.”
Their careers, both working for the Workman LLP management company which looks after the two centres, also mean that conversation around the dinner table veers far from the high street as well.
Denise said: “My husband’s retired and I don’t think he really cares to be honest – I think it takes a brave man to actually admit he does like shopping.”
Outside of work the mother and daughter duo also sit on a number of boards and committees together, including the Leeds Retail Association.
Anna added: “We both do a lot to promote the overall position of Leeds as a top-flight retail destination.”
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