Rush for new jobs at Ashington Asda
Jobseekers in an unemployment hotspot have flooded supermarket bosses with applications for new vacancies. Managers at Asda in Ashington, say they have been inundated with more than 1,000 applications for a limited number of jobs which will be created when a new store opens in the town next month.
The existing supermarket is relocating from its current site to Portland Park - the former site of the town's football club.
Its 320 staff will continue to be employed but now, due to longer opening hours and a greater range of products, the supermarket is looking to take on an extra 100 people to fill permanent positions.
With more than 10 people chasing every vacancy the recruitment team claim they have been rushed off their feet.
Laura Wiszniewski, from Asda, said: "In the first four days of the recruitment process the Ashington jobcentre issued more than 1,000 application forms.
"Since then, we've had a further surge of requests and myself and the team have been busy working through them all to ensure we select the best candidates for the jobs."
Latest official figures for the Wansbeck area, which includes Ashington, show that unemployment is currently standing at 7.7% - the highest rate in Northumberland. The move from the existing Lintonville Terrace site will take place on October 26.
New facilities available in the £25m store will include a pharmacy and fishmonger.
Some of the jobs will be reserved for people who are classed as being long-term unemployed as a way of helping them get back into the world of work.
Ms Wiszniewski added: "We are currently working closely with local employment partnerships through Jobcentre Plus, Finchale College and Northumberland Adult Learning Services, who have been a fantastic support and asset throughout the recruitment process.
"Asda colleagues have a reputation for being approachable, helpful and diligent and the new colleagues we will welcome to the team in the coming weeks will be just that."
The store will be open 24 hours and have more than 500 car parking spaces.
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