Hundreds interviewed for 86 Shrewsbury shop vacancies

A scramble for jobs at a new store in Shropshire has seen more than 300 people interviewed for just 86 vacancies, bosses said today.

The Range is due to open soon in Shrewsbury.

The interest in jobs at the new store was revealed today by Jobcentre Plus and Pertemps People Development Group, which organised interviews for every position.

A team from the company, which specialises in home, leisure and garden products, conducted the interviews over a two-day period at Pertemps' Abbey Foregate premises.

Staff greeted the 320 applicants, prepared them for the interviews and provided lunch and refreshments.

David Garland, HR manager for The Range, said he was impressed by just how smoothly the process was completed.

He said: "It has been great working alongside Pertemps, 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.

"There is no doubt that without their assistance we wouldn't have been able to recruit the people that we have. Interviews covered the complete spectrum of positions, both part and full time, right up to store manager."

The employment specialists also provided The Range with 25 clients for interviews as well as arranging work placements for 10 long-term unemployed which they hope will lead to job offers in the future.