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Tesco to bring 1000 jobs to Tyneside

Supermarket giant Tesco has pledged to create 1,000 jobs with the opening of a new customer services centre in the North East.

The development at Quorum Business Park on North Tyneside, will manage sales and service for Tesco Bank’s home and motor insurance customers.

Recruitment for the centre in Newcastle will start early next year with the first 500 roles due to be created by the end of 2010. The remaining jobs will be created within the next five years.

Tesco’s decision to locate the facility in Newcastle followed a grant of nearly £2m from One North East.

Tesco Bank chief executive Benny Higgins said the region’s experience in customer services and the financial sector was also a factor. He added: “The city is a great fit for our business and as it develops we will be investing even more in the region over the coming years.”

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “It is hugely encouraging that Tesco has chosen to invest here. The range of government support available is ensuring that people and businesses get the help they need to create new jobs across the whole of the country.”

Paul Buie, manager of Tyne and Wear Development Company, the inward investment agency for Tyne and Wear, said: “We’ve been working with Tesco, its consultants and partners for a number of months to make this possible. It’s a huge project and a major investment for Tyne and Wear that’s going to create a significant number of jobs in an important sector.”

Rachel Anderson, NECC head of member relations, said: “Tesco is one of UK plc’s greatest success stories and has grown strongly over the past decade. Its decision to locate a contact centre for its banking division in Newcastle that will be home to 1,000 employees will create excellent job opportunities for people in the area. This will, in turn, give a boost to the local economy which we strongly welcome.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .