11,000 apply for jobs at Asda store
The new Asda store. INPT27-217.
A RECORD-BREAKING 11,000 people have applied for the 450 jobs at the new Asda store in Portadown.
The supermarket giant revealed on Tuesday that its three-week recruitment process for the Portadown store had set a new record for the company.
The 24-hour store in Edenderry will open in November and will be Asda’s 17th store in Northern Ireland, bringing its workforce here to about 5,000.
Robert Ryans, who has been appointed general store manager for the Portadown store, said, “We’re completely astounded by the sheer volume of applications we have received. We predicted that around 2,000 people would apply, but we were utterly amazed when the numbers stretched to the 11,000 mark.
“We’re delighted that our standing as a company, which is committed to our colleagues and the communities we serve, has helped us to develop a strong and positive reputation and continues to help us attract the very best people.”
Councillor Robert Smith said the figures underlined the major benefit of having a big-name chain establish a presence in the town.
Last month the Portadown Times reported that Asda received 2,000 applications in one week - the amount which the supermarket expected to receive in total. In 2010 the Antrim store at Junction One received 8,000 job applications when it held its recruitment drive.
Mr Smith described the 11,000 figure as “phenomenal”.
“What’s good is that they would have received applications from wide and varied demographics - from young and old and those looking to work full and part-time. I appreciate that there will be a lot of disappointed people but it just shows the benefits of a big name coming to Portadown.”
The new supermarket will deliver the full Asda offering to the Portadown area including the George clothing range and Asda’s award-winning fish counter.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Portadown
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
