Environmentally-friendly Harbour Road supermarket set to open on Monday, November 21

SEATON’S new Tesco supermarket - set to open in less than a fortnight - has created 190 new local jobs.

The company says an additional 50 employees will transfer there from its other stores - bringing the total workforce to 240.

More than 850 people applied for jobs at the new Harbour Road supermarket, which is set to launch on Monday, November 21.

The store’s recruitment team worked closely with the local Jobcentre Plus and also set up a dedicated recruitment centre in Fore Street. Jobs were also advertised in other Tesco stores, and on the Tesco careers’ website.

The store has employed eight long term unemployed, who were recruited through a special scheme organised by the Jobcentre Plus.

Store Manager Ian Dyer said: “I am delighted with my new team. I have worked for Tesco for nearly 30 years starting as a produce assistant, and I am confident that many of our new members of staff will have an opportunity to progress in their career at Tesco as I have done.

“All new team members are currently completing a series of training programmes to get them ready for the store’s opening We are currently preparing for the launch of the store and look forward to playing an active role in the local community.”

The new store has some exciting environmentally friendly features, which all contribute to making it a zero-carbon store. It produces its own electricity using an on-site generator running on bio fuels, such as used vegetable oil.

It also has a metering system to constantly monitor energy usage is constantly monitored.

As well as reducing its energy use, the store has other features designed to help the environment. This includes using sustainable timber for the frame and walls, rather than steel, helping to significantly cut the building’s carbon footprint. The store also has special skylights, which allow natural daylight in, reducing the amount of artificial lighting.

A spokeswoman said: “Tesco has pledged to become a zero-carbon business by 2050, and Seaton’s unique Tesco superstore is an important step in the journey towards meeting that target.”

The new store is due to open for business at 8am on November 21 with the official launch at 10am, when there will be cake, champagne and a �1,000 charity donation.

The store will be open from 6am to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

There will be fresh fish and meat counters and a full in-store bakery, plus clothing ranges for men, women and children. The store will also include Costa Coffee, a pharmacy and a petrol station.