Celebrations are in full swing at the White Rose Shopping Centre as it commemorates 15 years at the heart of Leeds retail this week.

To celebrate the centre’s birthday, long-serving Debenhams staff member Tracey Sidebottom joined the centre management team to toast White Rose’s birthday and to reflect on the fashion trends she has seen come and go over the years.

Tracey has been part of the Debenhams family for more than 31 years working within the Leeds city centre store before moving across to White Rose when it opened in 1997.

Tracey Sidebottom, supervisor at White Rose Debenhams, comments: “Over the past 15 years the trends in fashion and cosmetics have changed greatly with certain styles coming full circle to become a key look for a new season.

“At Debenhams we are always moving with the times to ensure we stay on trend with the latest runway collections. As the trends change so does the retail choice, a few years ago fashion was dominated by a young crowd with tight clothes and hemlines getting shorter and shorter.

“In the last couple of seasons, the collections have demonstrated a more grown up edge which has opened up the current trends for the older customer.”

Tracey continues: “Cosmetics brands have changed a lot over the years too. Demand for organic and eco-friendly brands, such as Bare Minerals, are increasing and are strongly becoming the customers’ favourite and conscious choice.”

White Rose Shopping Centre opened its doors on the 25 March 1997, marking the start of a new retail offer for Leeds and the surrounding areas. 15 years on the centre attracts more than 12.5 million shoppers each year from across the region.

Peter Cook, centre director at the White Rose, comments: “Over the past 15 years White Rose has become a thriving home to all the leading high street retailers and we’ve worked hard to ensure that our loyal shoppers have access to the latest fashion and consumer brands as well as a comprehensive catering offer all under one roof.

“In our 15 years I’m proud to say we have become a true destination shopping experience of choice with 4,800 free car parking spaces, over 100 high street stores for our shoppers to enjoy.”

In addition to Tracey, Neil Patrick and John Hall from the security team have worked at the heart of the centre for the past 15 years, ensuring White Rose runs like clockwork each and every day.

White Rose Shopping Centre is celebrating its fifteenth birthday with a variety of activities throughout the year, including the centre’s first ever Fashion Week from the 9 - 15 April. 

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