Northern Ireland Asda store celebrates five mother-daughter/son duos working together: 'It adds something special to your day when you unexpectedly bump into each other'

This Mother’s Day, a Northern Ireland Asda store is celebrating the unique bond between five ‘mother-daughter/son’ duos who have work alongside each other...for 109 years combined!

Across different departments in Asda Kilkeel, these duos including mother’s, daughters, sons and granddaughters share not only their love for the job but also the joy of working together.

Louise Spiers has worked for Asda for 19 years, having spent 12 of those years, working alongside her mum, Brenda Spiers, who works as a check out operator at Asda Kilkeel.

Louise Spiers, grocery section leader, Asda Kilkeel said: “It’s crazy to think that my mum and I have racked up a total of 32 years at Asda combined.

"We both love working here, having been in the business myself for 19 years, it’s wonderful to have spent some of those years working alongside my mum. It’s very special and comforting having each other here – I can’t wait to treat her this mother’s day.”

Asda Kilkeel’s community champion of 12 years, Lisa Cunningham, works with her daughter, Caoimhe, who works as a checkout operator for a year and a half and regularly helps her mum with community fundraising while at work.

Lisa explained: “Not everyone has the pleasure of keeping up with their children while at work, it adds something special to your day when you unexpectedly bump into each other.

"It’s amazing to witness Caoimhe grow and evolve, it fills me with pride. Being community champion at Asda Kilkeel, I’m passionate about a building stronger community for our customers and colleagues and it’s amazing to have Caoimhe help me with some of that – we get to spend some great quality time together.”

Isla Curran has worked on the deli counter at Asda Kilkeel for three years, having her daughter, Kyla Cousins, join the team at Kilkeel eight months ago, working in the stores bread and cakes section.

Isla Curran, deli counter assistant, Asda Kilkeel, continued: “I love having Isla work at Asda with me, it’s fantastic! Whether we get to stop and have a quick catch up or if it’s a little wave from a distance, it really makes my day. Although we may not see each other very often in store, it’s great even spending some quality time together on our commute to work.”

It’s a real family affair for Jennifer Chambers, the store’s Fresh section manager, who has 16-years under her belt, loves working with her two children, Rebecca, a grocery colleague who has been at Asda for seven years and Stephen, a warehouse colleague and with the store for three years.

Jennifer reflected: “Life at Asda is very busy, Rebecca and Stephen both work in different sections to me so I fortunately never have to boss them around, but they do ask me how to best serve our customers, which is great to see – I am really looking forward to celebrating mother’s day with them this year.”

Meanwhile Lizzie Keenan, Asda Kilkeel’s longest serving colleague, has worked at the store for 33 years and she was delighted to have her granddaughter, Sarah Milden, join the team two years ago. Lizzie works as a check-out operator while Sarah is part of the cleaning team, at Asda Kilkeel.

Lizzie Keenan, check out operator, Asda Kilkeel, added: “Sarah and I don’t cross paths regularly as I’m typically working on the checkouts and Sarah is part of the cleaning team, but whenever we do, it’s always a pleasure to see her smiley face!

"Having worked at the store for 33 years, I’ve seen many different faces come and go through the doors and I can honestly say, hers is one of my favourites.”