Almost five years after Tesco’s distribution centre in Dundee was axed with the devastating loss of more than 400 jobs, hopes have been raised that the supermarket giant’s announcement of 20,000 new positions could ultimately benefit the City of Discovery.
Tesco insisted it was ”too early” to give any regional breakdown for the new positions, but a spokeswoman assured The Courier Scotland would not lose out, saying the nation would ”benefit as much as any other” region in the UK.
Dundee Lord Provost John Letford hopes that will mean a significant shot in the arm for a Dundee economy that was left reeling by the retailer’s controversial decision to axe its distribution centre in 2006.
A total of 432 jobs were cut when Tesco closed its depot at Baird Avenue in Dundee.
On Monday, the firm revealed details of proposals to create 20,000 jobs in the UK over the next two years.
The company, which is now the country’s largest private sector employer with more than 290,000 staff, said it planned to open a number of new stores while also improving its existing network.
New jobs are expected to include full and part-time positions, as well as some apprenticeship placements for new employees.
With memories of the devastating jobs blow dealt to Dundee when Tesco axed its distribution centre still raw, the city’s lord provost hopes there may be better news ahead.
”It really would be very welcome if a proportion of these jobs found their way to Dundee,” Mr Letford told The Courier. ”The loss of so many jobs at the Tesco distribution centre a few years ago was a bitter blow and I very much hope some of these new positions may be created in the city.”
Despite nationwide economic doom and gloom, Mr Letford described it as ”exciting times” for Dundee and said and fresh employment opportunities would be gratefully received.
”There is a lot of bad news in the economy at the moment so any announcements of this type are obviously very welcome,” Mr Letford continued. ”A great number of good and exciting things are happening in Dundee at the moment and if we get some of these jobs it would really help.”
Tesco UK’s chief executive Richard Brasher insisted the extra jobs would not be offset by job losses elsewhere in the business.
”In unprecedented economic conditions like these, major businesses have a big responsibility to step forward, invest and create jobs,” he said.
”We will invest in more staff on the sales floor at busy times, greater expertise and help in the crucial areas of fresh food, and enhanced quality and service across our stores at all times.”
Pauline Foulkes, national officer with the shopworkers union USDAW, said members had previously been highly critical of Tesco’s decision to axe its distribution centre in Dundee.
However, Ms Faulkes insists better times may now be ahead.
”Tesco’s pledge to invest significantly in additional staff hours and training will certainly be welcomed by our existing members,” she said.
”We have been raising their concerns about the pressure on staffing levels and the lack of additional hours many of them need to increase their earnings so this is very good news.”