2,500 apply for 140 jobs

More than 2,500 people applied to work at a new Tesco store in north Shropshire, which is due to open later this year creating 140 jobs.

Bosses today revealed the figure – which means an average of 17 people applied for each job – as they said the new store in Ellesmere will open a week ahead of schedule.

The new supermarket on the town's Wharf site is now on track to open on July 27, a week before the planned opening on August 3.

The superstore, which will sell mainly food items, is being built as part of a major redevelopment scheme on the Wharf area, which will also see a restaurant and housing created.

Today Emma Booth, from Tesco, said the store had created 140 full and part-time jobs in total, but most positions had been filled, and more than 2,500 people had applied to work at the store.

She said the store would be aiming to become part of the community.

Councillor Brian Knight, Ellesmere's mayor, said he was delighted the store was opening early. He said: "It is good news, obviously as a town council we have supported the Tesco store for it to come in and I'd like to see it all open and up and running, and everyone will enjoy shopping in there.

"I have had a number of people ask me the question when is it going to open because the dates keep changing, so the sooner it opens the better."