Big rush for jobs at new Tesco store in Hodge Hill

Nov 21 2009 by Andy Richards, Birmingham Mail

TWENTY-SEVEN people applied for every job at a new Birmingham supermarket, it was revealed today.

The jobs stampede was triggered when retail giant Tesco advertised 90 positions online for its store in Bromford Lane, Hodge Hill.

It led to 2,500 applications being lodged for the posts, including bakers, fishmongers and shelf stackers.

Bosses have sifted through the overwhelming number of candidates to handpick those best suited for the new roles and have begun training the new recruits.

The retailer has already allocated half of the total 250 jobs to people from the local area after promising to get the long-term unemployed out of the dole queue.

The Birmingham Mail reported earlier this year how jobseekers had queued round the block at two events aimed at getting Brummies back to work.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “The response we have received to the latest employment opportunities shows how well received the new store has been among local job seekers.

“Successful applicants are now beginning their training and can look forward to starting work when the new store opens.

“We are delighted with the progress made so far towards our aim of delivering a high-quality shopping experience for the local community and, most importantly, new jobs.

“The store will have created about 250 jobs in total by the time it opens.”

Tesco had caused anger among some local residents after buying a corner of city council-owned playing fields to build the flagship store. But the retailer financed a project to resurface damaged football pitches and built new changing rooms.

When the store opens in February, it will provide shopping on two floors, a café and parking spaces for 400 cars.