MORE than 4,000 people applied for just 190 jobs at Blackburn’s new Primark store, it can be revealed.
Bosses at the popular discount retailer, which opens its doors in the new Mall development on July 26, interviewed 680 people after being inundated with 4,130 CVs.
The new store will have 193 full and part-time employees, including management.
The stunning total of applicants is 300 more than the number of people in Blackburn and Darwen who are registered as unemployed and seeking work.
At the same time 700 people applied for only 29 jobs at Blackburn’s new larger New Look store, which will next month move into the Mall’s former Woolworths unit.
However, although the number of applications was hailed by bosses, some business leaders have said it should be seen as a warning as it shows how difficult finding work in the area now is.
They have also expressed concerns that the jobs are in the traditionally low paid service sector rather than highly paid manufacturing posts.
Primark director Breege O’Donogue said: “We were overwhelmed with the level of response for recruitment of management and staff at the Primark Blackburn store.
“The calibre of candidates has been exceptionally high and we are delighted with the 193 employees we have recruited.
“We look forward to opening the new Primark store in Blackburn.”
At New Look, which already has a shop in the Mall, bosses are currently recruiting to move to a unit three times the size on August 12.
Manager Gemma Roberts said 700 CVs had been whittled down to 110 interviewees, who will do battle for 29 vacancies.
Miss Roberts said: “About half were for the part-time jobs and half for full-time positions, and we will aim to have a mixture of ages in the store.”
She said that she would be looking for people with previous retail experience, meaning many applicants would be effectively ruled out.
Mall general manager Loraine Jones said: “This shows just how many people out there want to work in the Mall and our shops, so we are delighted.
“We are all on track for a 9am Primark opening on July 26, and we are certainly expecting queues.”
The 4,800 applications for retail jobs at Primark and New Look compares to the 3,831 people in Blackburn with Darwen borough who claimed Jobseekers’ Allowance in May, down from 3,993 in April.
Paul Hoyle, president of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: “I think this says something about the number and quality of the jobs around in Blackburn at the moment.
“However, as a chamber we would say that the new Primark and the renovated Mall will bring footfall to the town centre, which is clearly a good thing.”
Council leader Mike Lee said: “I am surprised by these figures.
“They show that people in Blackburn are keen to work, although it also shows that people are going for everything.
“It reminds us that the council must do everything it can to attract good full-time jobs to the town, and we will continue to do this.”
Blackburn’s Primark, which forms the ‘anchor’ unit of the new £66million Mall extension, is the retailer’s 200th store and its first in East Lancashire.
Mall bosses hope the shopping centre will be completely finished in time for Christmas.
