Wigan Council and Wilkinson's Jobs Boost Partnership

The countdown is on to the opening of the new Wilkinson store on Standishgate, Wigan on Friday 7 November. The opening of the store in the old Debenhams unit, will not only enhance the shopping experience in Wigan Town Centre, but has also created a whopping 126 jobs for local people.

It is through the partnership between Wigan Council and Wilkinson that a successful recruitment event was planned.

Wilkinson’s needed assistance in organising an event, which would allow them to interview 300 applicants over a two-week period from 29 September. The Council’s Learning and Employment Service found a suitable venue at the Quality Hotel in Wigan and helped in the general organisation of the event. Two Advice and Guidance Officers were present for the duration of the process, providing additional support to Wilkinson and also to the applicants.

Cllr David Molyneux, Cabinet Champion for Regeneration and the Environment and Deputy Leader of Wigan Council said: "As a result of this partnership between the public and private sectors, 126 people are due to start work shortly.

"The support provided by Wigan Council is a model which has created a truly positive image of the borough and has ensured that local people have benefited from the jobs that Wilkinson have created."

David Heap, Store Manager for Wilkinson said: "The whole event couldn’t have been better organised. The hotel staff could not have done enough and having representatives from the Council on-site throughout made the whole process extremely professional."

For more information about Wigan Town Centre, please contact Mike Matthews, Town Centre Manager on 01942 828890 or M.Matthews@wigan.gov.uk

For more information about the assistance Wigan Council can give companies with recruitment and training, please contact Anthony Mohammed, Assistant Service Manager, Learning and Employment Service on 01942 828912 or A.Mohammed@wigan.gov.uk