Times still tough despite hundreds of new vacancies (From The Bolton News)

Times still tough despite hundreds of new vacancies

9:04am Thursday 21st March 2013 in News

THE creation of more than 300 new jobs in Bolton has been hailed as “grounds for optimism” by the council’s regeneration chief.

In recent weeks, there has been a surge in new jobs on offer across the borough.

Bolton firm DRL, which runs websites selling home appliances, is taking on 200 people at its base in Horwich, with roles including contact centre, sales, audit, marketing, IT and technical roles, along with staff training and recruitment positions.

Town centre solicitors, Asons, is creating 150 posts as it expands into another floor of its Bark Street offices due to its fast growth in clinical negligence and personal injury work, which has prompted a further expansion into corporate legal services.

Fast food giant McDonald’s is creating between 40 and 60 posts at its four restaurants in Bolton, while 30 posts are being created at a new Iceland frozen food shop set to open in Central Retail Park, off Manchester Road, later this month.

Keith Davies, pictured, Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration, described the latest developments as good news, but warned the borough was still reeling from the loss of its Blockbuster, Comet and Jessops stores, along with the closure of HMV, and added that town centre trading was still difficult.

He said: “The council has worked hard to support local businesses and mitigate the impact of the recession.

“The creation of these jobs and further developments that we expect to emerge this year mean there are some grounds for optimism for Bolton.

“However, we do not underestimate the economic challenges that still exist and in particular the difficult trading conditions in the town centre, so whilst this is excellent news for the borough we are not complacent and will continue to work with the business community.”

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