100 jobs up for grabs at West Midlands shopping centres

Selfridges and Next are among the well known names recruiting staff for the busy festive season.

The recruitment drive marks the start of the Christmas countdown for retailers.

Dozens of Christmas jobs are up for grabs at West Bromwich's New Square centre, which opened in July 2013.

Next, Blue Inc and Outfit are among the well known names recruiting staff for the busy festive season.

It marks the start of the busy Christmas countdown at the centre which opened in July 2013.

More than 730,000 people visited the centre last December and bosses are confident more coming through the doors this Christmas.

Next is recruiting 10 members of staff at New Square while 70 positions are available at its shop in the Bullring.

Five temporary staff needed at fashion outlet Blue Inc and 10 more at Outfit, which stocks clothes from Topshop, Topman and Dorothy Perkins, at its New Square outlets.

It is believed other retailers are also looking for staff over the festive season.

New Square centre manager, Steve Burr, said: "There were 730,000 visitors to New Square last December and we're expecting this year to be even busier, so recruiting great temporary staff is vital for retailers to maintain the great customer service they expect.

"We've also welcomed several new tenants to the centre over the past months, all of which have created a number of part time and permanent roles. It's great that New Square's success if helping to create so many job opportunities for local people."

Selfridges at the Bulling is taking on a range of temporary sales assistants for various concessions including ted Baker.

Gadget shop Red5, jewellers Pandora and retailer Sports Direct are among other stores recruiting up to 50 positions in total.

Grand Central opening to shoppers in September following the unveiling of the multi-million pound revamp of New Street Station.

And while officials were unable to give figures on the numbers of seasonal jobs available, they said further recruitment was likely.

Lucy Taylor, Head of People, for Grand Central said: "After our initial recruitment drive for the opening of Grand Central last month, we've had to double the amount of staff we originally hired — this is definitely down to being a bit busier than expected.

"It's impossible to say for sure what the Christmas period will bring but if the last four weeks are any sign of what's to come, I imagine we will continue recruiting through the end of the year."