300 Christmas jobs at Merry Hill
More than 300 Christmas jobs are up for grabs at Merry Hill shopping centre, bosses revealed today.
Next, Primark and Argos are among the well known names recruiting staff for the busy festive season.
Currys PC World and jewellers H Samuels and T. H. Baker are also looking for staff for over Christmas.
Merry Hill itself is also advertising for 12 new staff, five of which are permanent, for a range of roles at the centre in Brierley Hill - including Father Christmas at the centre's festive grotto.
It marks the start of the busy Christmas countdown at the centre which attracts thousands of shoppers from across the West Midlands.
Shop managers and centre bosses are recruiting for positions online this year in a bid to fill vacancies over the coming weeks.
Fashion giant Next is looking to take on 73 members of staff for the festive season. Bosses have revealed Primark have been recruiting 25 people for temporary positions at its shop. Applications have now closed for these roles.
T.H. Baker is seeking eight temporary sales assistants at its outlet. People have until October 30 to apply.
Card and gifts retailer Paperchase is also among those recruiting.
Centre operators Intu are recruiting for roles including mall cleaners and toilet attendants.
Merry Hill marketing manager, Rob Pickersgill, said it is important to have staff to fill vital roles during the festive season.
"Christmas is our busiest time and we recruit extra staff to ensure we continue to deliver a seamless customer service and high standards that shoppers expect from one of the country's leading centres," he said.
President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Ninder Johal, added: "In line with the economic prosperity that we have in the UK and the Black Country, which is the second highest performing Local Enterprise Partnership area, this is another example of retail, which was previously another struggling sector, picking up.
"One of the problems future employers experience with new graduates, students and young people is that they don't have the requisite work experience.
"But this is a great way for people to address that."
People can also apply to be Santa Claus - as workers are needed to take on roles at the centre's grotto.
Centre bosses said the full traditional costume is provided while candidates with their 'own beard is an advantage but not essential'.
Jobs vacancies can be found at www.intu.co.uk/merryhill/jobs
