Over 60,000 festive jobs up for grabs
29 September 2011 12:12
As the run-up to Christmas draws ever closer, we've found more than 60,000 seasonal jobs up for grabs - and now is the time to get in touch with us.
Royal Mail sorts more than 130 million items every day during the festive season - and needs an army of 15,000 extra workers to help them do it.
Supermarkets are at their busiest in the weeks before Christmas and need thousands of extra staff to help.
Sainsbury's has announced that it will be recruiting 15,000 seasonal workers over Christmas and New Year and retail human resources director Helen Webb points out that a temporary job could just be the start.
She says: "Last year, 2,100 people gained permanent roles and we hope many of the colleagues from this year's intake will benefit too."
Asda says it is taking on 7,000 extra staff from November onwards, with opportunities on the shop floor and in home delivery as well as for specialist service hosts who will help customers track down last-minute gifts.
Tesco, which hired 6,000 extra staff last year, is also expecting new intakes this festive season.
Argos has 12,000 temporary Christmas jobs on offer and Boots is looking for 7,000 customer assistants to help it through the Christmas period.
As the big day draws nearer, some retailers are opening temporary shops across the country, including Past Times, which specialises in nostalgic gifts.
It plans to open 50 of these stores - creating more than 300 jobs - and says seasonal roles are often a springboard to new opportunities.
Restaurant group Prezzo is opening 10 new restaurants in the run-up to Christmas, including six Prezzo outlets, two Caffe Uno restaurants and two Chimichanga Mexican restaurants. Each will offer around 15 jobs.
Prezzo also says there will also be part-time seasonal opportunities in existing restaurants.
Hotel chain Travelodge has launched a recruitment drive to find more than 160 staff for nine new hotels opening before Christmas at Birmingham, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Huddersfield, Liverpool, London Edmonton, Salford Quays, Portishead and Bolton.
The hospitality world is also gearing up for a frantic festive season. Pub chain JD Wetherspoon is opening eight pubs by Christmas and is currently looking for 350 workers, from management to kitchen, bar and floor staff.
Bosses also expect to take on extra staff at its existing 820 pubs, meaning that it will be offering up to 2,000 Christmas jobs.
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