Multi-Generational Workforce Transforms Asda Belvedere Into Family Hub
While many mothers anticipate relaxation on Mother's Day, at one South East London supermarket, the most meaningful family connections unfold right on the shop floor. The Asda Belvedere Superstore in Bexley has become home to an extraordinary workforce where professional and family lives beautifully intertwine.
Three Generations Working Side by Side
Sixteen relatives currently work at the store, creating what managers describe as an unparalleled family atmosphere. Among them are seven mothers who work alongside their adult children, with some families spanning three generations of employees.
The Carr family exemplifies this multi-generational trend. Fifty-six-year-old grandmother Hayley Carr works in the frozen section alongside her daughters Kerry (37), Kasey (27), and Jessica (18). Kerry's daughter Rhyleigh Pioli (19) completes the family representation, having joined the overnight team shortly before Christmas. Rhyleigh balances her work responsibilities with caring for her one-year-old daughter Harper.
"It's brilliant having my family work with me," Hayley explained. "If I need a day off, they'll always cover my shifts, as they love their mum! Sometimes we work the same shifts and we see each other, which is nice."
Hayley, who also has a 13-year-old daughter Sophie and 39-year-old son Daniel, noted that her daughter Jessica often provides transportation after college. "I always get the bus to work and Jessica picks me up when she finishes college, bless her," she shared.
Multiple Family Duos Throughout the Store
The Carr family represents just one of several mother-child pairs working at the Belvedere location. Cheryl Smith (52), the store's production team leader in the fresh section, has worked there since it opened thirteen years ago. Her daughter Katie (30) has spent nine years in home shopping.
"Katie starts at 4am and finishes at 10am so we don't see an awful lot of each other until we get home," Cheryl noted. "I'm always floating around the shop floor so we do get to say hello. It's a lovely friendly store here and it's so nice that we have so many mums and their children working together."
In the bakery department, Maggie Alimo (60) works alongside her 34-year-old son Charlie, a home shopping driver. Maggie, who will celebrate twenty-five years with Asda in May, described their workplace relationship: "At work he's Charlie and I'm Maggie. He's out in the van most of the time, so I don't see him until he comes home."
Maggie, a mother of five and grandmother to seven, added: "It's lovely working here; it's like a little family. We all get on well with one another! It's a really friendly place and the customers are lovely too."
Creating a Supportive Work Environment
Checkout colleague Amanda Bradley (55) works alongside her daughters Chanel (36) and Tia (18). She observed: "A lot of people comment 'is Chanel your daughter and is Tia your daughter?', which is nice. Everyone is quite close at the store, we all know whose kids are working there."
Community champion Kuia Newman and her daughter Sian Martin (23), a home shopping picker, represent another family pair. Sian explained: "Although I don't work the same shifts as my mum anymore, it's nice that when I talk about work she understands what I'm on about!"
George colleague Valerie Cox (67), who has worked at the store since its opening thirteen years ago, works alongside her daughter Tanya Carver (42) in Home and Leisure. Valerie noted they see each other frequently outside work since they live next door to each other.
Management Celebrates Unique Workplace Culture
Store manager Sandy Sanga praised the exceptional team dynamic: "We've always been proud of the community spirit within our stores, but the team at Belvedere takes 'family values' to a whole new level! Having three generations working side by side doesn't just make for a great story, it creates a supportive, tight-knit family environment that our customers can really feel when they walk through the doors."
Sanga continued: "We're thrilled to celebrate these incredible mums who prove that some of the best colleagues are often the ones you grew up with."
The unique workplace arrangement provides practical benefits beyond emotional support. Family members frequently cover shifts for one another, provide transportation, and maintain constant communication about work matters. This creates a safety net that many retail workers don't experience in more conventional employment settings.
As Kerry Carr summarized about working with her family: "It's so nice that we all work at the same place, as we are a very close family. We all help each other when we can. It's very family orientated here and everyone gets on well with each other – but if someone shouts mum we all turn round!"
This Mother's Day, while Amanda Bradley will be working her usual Sunday shift, she anticipates a family meal afterward. Maggie Alimo plans to be taken out to lunch, followed by an evening takeaway with her family. Hayley Carr expects her daughter Kerry to cook Sunday dinner as usual, continuing the family traditions that extend from their home life into their workplace.
