More than 300 job seekers scrambled to fill 86 positions at a new homeware store opening in Shrewsbury in the New Year.
A total of 86 full and part-time jobs were up for grabs at The Range which will open its 50th nationwide store at the former MFI site on Sundorne Retail Park.
Bosses say 320 people were interviewed for the roles last week, which included that of store manager.
The would-be workers were interviewed over a two-day period in Abbey Foregate and the new hyper store, when it opens, will sell a range of home, leisure and gardening products.
The swell of interest in jobs was revealed this week by Jobcentre Plus and Pertemps People Development Group, which organised interviews for every position.
David Garland, human resources manager for The Range, said: “It has been great working alongside PPDG’S team who have been busy preparing candidates and providing interview facilities for us.
“Shrewsbury is a milestone for us, our 50th store, so it’s particularly important. Interviews covered the complete spectrum of positions, both part and full time, right up to store manager.”
Peter Bettis, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said: “This is good news for the town and certainly great news to start the New Year with.
“It’s a tremendous amount of jobs being created and hopefully it will bring more foot fall into Shrewsbury because it seems like a really big development.”
A further ten longer-term unemployed Shrewsbury job seekers were lined-up to complete a work placement with the firm, which may also lead to job offers.
By David Seadon