Tesco opens its 40th 'regeneration' store, underlying company's commitment to provide jobs to people in deprived areas; regeneration stores give a third of jobs to long-term unemployed

Cindy Allen

Cindy Allen

LONDON , December 9, 2011 () – Tesco has underlined its commitment to supporting long-term unemployed people from some of the UK’s most deprived areas back into work with the opening of its 40th regeneration store.

The milestone has been reached this week with the opening of a new store in Blackley, Manchester where only half the local population (54%) are in work*. When it opens its doors to customers for the first time, the store will have created a total of 138 new jobs, with 50 roles provided to a diverse mix of people who had been out of work for six months or longer - the youngest recruit 16 years old and the oldest 68.

Over the last 11 years, since the opening of the first Tesco regeneration store in Leeds back in January 2000, the stores have provided 13,500 jobs in total, 4,500 of them going to the long-term unemployed in the local area.

Tesco’s UK Chief Executive, Richard Brasher, said:

“The opening of our 40th regeneration store in Manchester is a significant milestone not just for Tesco but for the thousands of long-term unemployed who have been helped back to work as a result of the scheme.

“Over the last 11 years Tesco has helped give many people the first chance of a job and the first steps into a new career. We reserve a third of jobs at these stores for the long-term unemployed in the area and recruit on attitude not qualifications.

"Once they are with us, we get a lot back in return with the local knowledge of our new staff proving invaluable with customers who tell us they are very happy shopping in an environment that reflects so closely the community they live in.

“In these tough times schemes like this are more important than ever and we will keep creating opportunities with 7,000 additional jobs being delivered by Tesco this year.”

In a regeneration store:

A third of total jobs are allocated for long-term unemployed people
Full support is given with the application process
All applicants are guaranteed an interview
Interviews are based on attitude – not formal qualifications and experience
There is an 8 week pre-employment training
All those who complete the training are guaranteed a job

Most significantly, securing a job is just the first step as there are training and development opportunities taking staff to management level both within stores and the wider business.

Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"Initiatives such as this, which create local jobs and help combat unemployment, are always hugely positive but Tesco's commitment to this new store is particularly welcome during these difficult economic times.”

The new Tesco Blackley also brings wider environmental benefits with a timber frame building making maximum use of natural light. Tesco will be delivering further facilities to the community with a new library being built as part of the development.

Cllr Murphy added:

"The new superstore shares a building with the soon-to-open new Avenue Library and is a great example of the private and public sectors working together to boost regeneration."

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