Tesco promises jobs to local unemployed

TESCO has pledged to ensure that at least half of the jobs created by a new food store near Old Trafford cricket ground will go to unemployed people in the local area.

More than 280 of the 526 jobs created by the redevelopment of Lancashire County Cricket Club would go to the local unemployed, with most of those jobs being in the 100,194 sq ft food store.

Although Stretford Job Centre Plus will partner with Tesco to identify job applicants, the retailer will also be working with the council and local training providers to encourage job applications from hard-to-reach groups.

Deborah Hayeems, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: “The Tesco Regeneration Partnerships match up the needs of deprived communities with our development programme to provide value and quality for customers and create jobs and services for the community.
 
“Our partnerships can significantly improve the overall economic wealth of these areas. In providing people with jobs they have more money to spend in the wider local area.”

The announcement has been made ahead of the planning application for the redevelopment of the cricket club, which includes the 100,194 sq ft  Tesco store, being submitted to the council later this month.

Jim Cumbes, Lancashire County Cricket Club’s chief executive, said: “The partners have carried out detailed consultation with local people to ensure the proposals secure the maximum regeneration benefits for the borough, as well as securing the future of international cricket here.”

The plans are part of a sports-led regeneration strategy for a 50-acre mixed-use neighbourhood in Old Trafford.

The first phase is already under way, with new conference and events suite The Point  under construction and due for completion in July 2010.