Over 1,500 apply for 100 jobs at new Waitrose in Hove

More than 1,500 people have applied for 100 jobs at the new Waitrose store which is due to open in Hove this spring.

The deadline for applications has closed for the vacancies, which were first advertised last month.

Waitrose has received 1,550 applications for full-time and part-time posts across all departments.

The retailer, which has a policy of recruiting as locally as possible, has worked with Jobcentre Plus to identify potential candidates, including unemployed people.

The interview process is due to start in the coming few days, with all new employees becoming partners in John Lewis, which owns the the Waitrose business.

This entitles them to exclusive benefits, including shopping and leisure discounts, learning subsidies and a share in profits in the form of an annual bonus.

Last year, partners received 17 per cent of their annual wages in bonuses, the equivalent of about nine weeks’ earnings.

Nick Mort is the branch manager of the new Waitrose which is taking over and making over the old Co-op superstore, in Nevill Road, Hove, next to the Coral Greyhound Stadium.

He said: “We have had a phenomenal response to our recruitment drive and are really encouraged by the calibre of applications we’ve received.

“We are delighted that so many people are eager to work for our business and look forward to a successful future at the Hove store.”

Waitrose announced that it would be opening the new branch in Nevill Road after buying the Co-op store last November. About 180 partners will be employed by Waitrose Hove, including 80 former Co-op employees.