These aren’t just any jobs, these are 500 M&S jobs
A VAST Marks and Spencer warehouse on the Leicestershire/derbyshire border is creating 500 Christmas jobs – having already taken on 400 permanent staff since the summer.
The Castle Donington site, near East Midlands Airport is M&S’S biggest distribution centre, dedicated to its online operation.
It is ramping up for a busy Christmas period, with online sales set to be boosted as people turn to the internet to shop during the pandemic.
The temporary staff will be needed to pack online orders and prepare the deliveries for customers all over the UK in the run-up to Christmas.
The roles are being offered via Staffline, rather than being hired directly by Marks & Spencer.
They will earn £9.70 an hour during the day with a premium rate for nightshifts.
Robert Davies, head of M&S Castle Donington, said: “With Christmas nearly upon us, we are pleased to be partnering with Staffline once again as we begin the search for seasonal colleagues to join our team.
“We’ve been delighted to welcome more permanent and part-time colleagues to the site from our local communities over the last few months to support the continued growth of our online sales and look forward to the team expanding even more in the coming weeks.
“While this year presents a very different build-up to the festive season, we remain committed to delivering exceptional service for our customers and their families this Christmas.”
When all the temporary staff are hired the total number of people working at the distribution centre will be about 4,000.
The staff are having to work differently due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this year, some members of staff complained about being required to keep going to work as the pandemic spread across the region.
The company said in a statement: “The safety and wellbeing of all colleagues has been the highest priority throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the Castle Donington site adapted quickly with robust hygiene and social distancing measures in place from the outset – from door closing devices to increased cleaning schedules and perspex screens between workstations.
“All new colleagues will receive full health and safety training covering the importance of these additional measures during their induction process.”
THE latest coronavirus lockdown which is set to come into force this week has been described as “a nightmare before Christmas” by brewers.
The Society of Independent Brewers has warned they will not make it to the festive season without support to the hospitality industry being extended.
And in a second blow to the brewing industry, this latest lockdown also means pubs and brewers are unlikely to be able to offer “take away beer” sales - something which proved popular during the summer.
James Calder, the chief executive of SIBA, said: “As if a second national lockdown in England wasn’t disastrous enough for pubs and independent breweries, Government have gone further this time around and introduced an unjustified restriction banning pubs from selling takeaway beer, a service which was the only source of income for many businesses during the summer lockdown.
“This is baffling considering supermarkets will presumably still be allowed to sell packaged beer, whilst small breweries and pubs will not.
“It is nonsensical to impose these new restrictions when pubs have time and time again proved that they are covid secure, both during lockdown when takeaway was their only option and since pubs re-opened on the July 4.
“After discussions with ministers and departments over the weekend we’re aware that this is being considered now by members of the Cabinet and need the Government to urgently clarify before regulations are put to Parliament on Wednesday.” While the Government has extended the current furlough scheme to cover the period of the latest lockdown, there are warnings this scheme alone is not enough to support small breweries.
Mr Calder said: “The extension of furlough to December will come as a small relief to breweries, which will keep people in jobs and support them through these difficult times. “However furlough funding cannot alone keep business who are struggling due to unfounded restrictions afloat.
“The evidence clearly shows that when pubs are told to close the impact on small breweries is devastating, with small brewery sales during the first lockdown down 82 per cent on average across the UK.
“Small breweries still have rent, business rates, beer duty and VAT payments coming up - if they are unable to trade, then they cannot pay these.
“What’s more, when pubs are told to close the fresh beer sitting in the cellar has to be disposed of. During the first lockdown some five million pints were poured away and small brewers were left to foot the bill. Will this time around Government support small brewers? If not we will see hundreds go to the wall before Christmas.
“Time and time again the hospitality sector has asked Government for evidence on how increasing restrictions on pubs, bars and taprooms will help control the virus.
“We have not been provided with it. If the Government wishes to shut the hospitality sector it needs to provide a full financial package for the entire supply chain.”
When pubs are told to close the impact on small breweries is devastating
James Calder, SIBA