Jobs rush as Tesco sets launch date

A Tesco supermarket that is bringing a former Black Country Woolworths store back to life will open within a fortnight and create 12 jobs, bosses revealed today.

The supermarket giant is transforming the Bearwood site with an Express store 18 months after it closed when Woolworths went into administration.

Tesco bosses have been inundated with job applications for the new branch and said they had interviewd 70 people for the 10 customer services and two team leader posts on offer at the Bearwood Road store.

Store manager Dan Robinson said: "I was overwhelmed by the huge response we received to our recruitment drive.

" In this time of economic uncertainty, it is great that we are able to create jobs and help get people back into work.

"I am really pleased with my new team and I'm looking forward to working with my new staff.

We are delighted to be opening a Tesco Express store in Smethwick, and look forward to playing an active role in the local community."

The new store will open for customers at 8am on October 1. Its opening hours will then be between 6am and 11pm seven days a week.

It is the latest boost for the area, which has benefited from a Holland & Barrett health food store and the reopening of Firkins.

Bearwood Road was last year identified as a key site by Sandwell Council, which wanted to attract businesses after a number of high street names moved out, including Rosebys, Adams, Woolworths and Ethel Austin.

The authority announced plans to spend more than £500,000 on encouraging business to the borough.

Tesco bosses worked with Smethwick's Jobcentre Plus for the recruitment drive.