Future Hotel Manager Leila Gets Her Very Own Mini Uniform (and Teddy!)

Five-year-old Leila follows in her parents’ footsteps at Premier Inn, receiving her own custom uniform and teddy from Dimensions.

At just five years old, Leila is already dreaming big. The daughter of Shona and Bradley, both dedicated Premier Inn employees, Leila recently stole the spotlight at her school’s careers day, dressed head-to-toe in her mum’s Reception uniform. Complete with her very own name badge and lanyard, she proudly announced, “I want to be like mummy and daddy when I grow up.” “Leila was so excited to go to school and woke up saying she was ‘going to work today!’” said her dad, Bradley. “She couldn’t wait to surprise her teachers with her new look.”

Shona has been a part of Premier Inn for 12 years, working in the Reception team, while Bradley, a Duty Manager, has three years at his current site and a background as a chef. Inspired by her parents’ passion for hospitality, Leila has her sights set on managing a hotel one day. “I have a manager’s badge!” she proudly told her teachers, showing off her ambition.

The adorable moment quickly captured the hearts of colleagues when Shona and Bradley shared the photo on Premier Inn’s internal communications platform. The story didn’t stop there, catching attention on LinkedIn, spreading smiles far beyond the hotel team.

Wanting to make the experience even more special, the team at Dimensions went above and beyond for their long-standing customer, Premier Inn. They created a custom-sized Reception uniform for Leila, complete with a pussy bow blouse and black straight-leg trousers, and even made a mini version for her teddy bear, with child-safe design adjustments such as a fixed bow to prevent choking hazards.

Karen Harper, Account Manager at Dimensions, traveled from England to Belfast to personally present the uniform and teddy bear to Leila. The little girl couldn’t have been happier, naming her bear “Bear that works at Hotel” and cuddling it close.

Shona added, “Premier Inn is in our blood, we’ll never leave. We like working here because they are a very supportive company who care about their staff.”

Karen Harper commented, “Our relationship with Premier Inn means so much to us. It’s always a pleasure to go above and beyond for our customers, and seeing Leila’s excitement was incredibly rewarding.

People don’t always stop to think about uniform; usually, it’s just there to do a job. But it can also inspire. For Leila’s careers day, it became a way for a little girl to feel inspired. Uniform also makes you feel part of a team, gives you pride in your company, and helps new starters feel included. Uniform can be emotive, and seeing the joy it brings is truly heartwarming."

Premier Inn spokesperson said: “Shona and Bradley have been part of the Premier Inn team for several years, and so it makes us especially proud that Leila sees the passion her parents have for their work and aspires to follow in their career footsteps.

Leila’s mini uniform looks amazing, and we are sure it won’t be too long before she is checking in guests herself!”

Since 2016, Dimensions has proudly supplied Premier Inn’s uniform range, and this heartwarming story is a reminder of the joy that comes from blending professional pride with a touch of personal magic. For Leila, it’s the start of what’s sure to be a bright career in hospitality.