John Lewis Waitrose plans to take on 1,000 Somerfield staff

John Lewis-owned Waitrose plans to take on 1,000 employees at the 13 Somerfield stores bought in the Co-operative group deal and that it will create another 500 roles at these branches. The retailer said the purchase was one of the largest in its history. The deal will result in new Waitrose stores in Bridport, Dorset, Headington, Oxford, Haslemere, Surrey, Saxmundham, Suffolk, Ponteland, Tyne and Wear, Upminster and Croydon in Greater London, Stamford, Lincolnshire, Holsworthy and Torquay in Devon, Alcester, Warwickshire, Caldicot, Gwent and Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. All stores are set to open between April and July. Waitrose said the Somerfield stores, with a further nine outlets due to open in 2009, would swell its UK estate to 220, an increase of 5%. Managing Director Mark Price said: "I'm delighted to announce the biggest period of growth in the history of Waitrose. There is a real weight of evidence that businesses that continue to invest during tough economic times fare much better when the economy begins to recover. Our new shops will help ensure Waitrose is in the best shape possible coming out of the recession." www.planetretail.net