The Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Greg Brackenridge, today (Wednesday) opened the new B&M store at Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre.
Wolves at Work employment programme has helped the major retailer successfully recruit city residents into the 60 jobs.
More than 90 per cent (55) of the Customer Service and Replenishment assistant vacancies have been filled by City of Wolverhampton residents – and 37 of them were previously unemployed.
B&M is situated in a 52,000 sq ft store on the upper mall, taking space in a large unit formerly occupied by BHS.
It is the fourth major new store opening of 2019 at the Mander Centre, following Matalan, One Below and New Look.
B&M Stores Manager, Preyesh Purohit, said: “It’s great to finally open the doors after a lot of hard work by the team.
“The initial reaction from customers has been very positive and the staff are very proud to be serving them in their home city.”
City of Wolverhampton Council, Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Harman Banger, added: “It is another example of the £4.4 billion of investment currently on site or in the pipeline across the city also paying dividends in terms of job opportunities for the people of Wolverhampton.”
Richard Scharenguivel, Mander Centre Manager, said: “B&M is a fantastic national brand and a strong success story in a competitive retail market and we are delighted to welcome them to the Mander Centre.
“Already this year we have seen highly successful openings for Matalan and One Below, we have successfully transferred New Look into a new 17,000 sq ft unit and works are underway to move Bodycare into a larger and more modern store in the centre.”
Anyone interested in local jobs or employers needing recruitment support in Wolverhampton can register at www.wolvesworkbox.com.
