Big stores offering hope of more jobs

Morrisons announced it is ready to start work on a fish processing plant in Grimsby which will employ 200.

And Tesco said it expects to recruit another 20,000 people nationally over the next two years, through refreshing existing stores and opening new ones.

Morrisons has bought the former Kwok’s ready-meals factory on the Europa Business Park in Grimsby, which shut at the end of 2009, making 180 redundant.

The supermarket giant expects the factory to re-open at the end of 2012, sourcing fish direct from the quayside, as part of its strategy of getting involved in food manufacture as well as sales.

Chief executive Dalton Philips said: “Nobody else is buying direct from the quayside. This will allow us to move our fish from ‘catch to kitchen’ even more quickly.”

Greg Clark, Minister for Cities at the Department for Communities and Local Government, said: “This investment reinforces Grimsby’s position as the heart of a vital cluster for the food processing industry.”

John Davis, a former editor of Trawling Times, said: “There must be a possibility that this development will take jobs from other processors but overall it has to be good news, especially if it means a commitment to Grimsby sourcing. There is still a great deal of fish coming in from overseas.”

Tesco said its expansion plans would include 10,000 new apprenticeships. Chief executive Richard Brasher said: “Major businesses have a responsibility to invest and create jobs. Today’s announcement is a huge shot in the arm for the UK economy.”

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This is a massive confidence boost. Tesco is one of the world’s leading companies and the biggest private sector employer in this country. Their commitment is fantastic news.”