There aren't enough jobs to go round in Bognor

Job seekers are battling it out for vacancies in Bognor Regis with 800 people competing for just 72 positions.

An average of 11 individuals are competing for every vacancy at the Wilkinson branch which opens in London Road in October.

Many of them said they would do any of the 13 different types of job on offer because they were so desperate to get a regular salary.

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Labour market recruitment advisor Dot Palmer, of Bognor's jobcentreplus in Gloucester House, said: "It's amazing how many people have applied for jobs with Wilkinson.

"Wilkinson is the best thing that has happened to Bognor town centre for a long time. It's something we need desperately. It's a great opportunity for everyone."

County and district councillor Francis Oppler, who represents one of Bognor's most deprived areas, said he sympathised with those seeking to work at Wilkinson.

"To have that number of people applying for jobs at Wilkinson shows just how bad the economic climate is at the moment," he said.

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An office equipment salesman, he was jobless for six months between September 1992 and March 1993.

"It's awful being unemployed. It undermines your confidence.

"You know there are a vast number of people competing for the same job as you. I reckon it took me three years to get back to my normal confidence after I had got my present job," he said.

"As well as the new jobs, it's fantastic news Wilkinson is coming to Bognor and opening in such an important site.

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"The store is certainly going to be a significant draw to bring people back into the town centre."

The Observer revealed in May that Wilkinson was likely to be moving into the former Woolworths premises.

That was confirmed two weeks ago when workmen arrived to revamp the biggest premises in the precinct ready for the October 14 opening.

Some former Woolworths' workers from the 50 who lost their jobs last December were among those hoping to work for Wilkinson in the biggest employment boost to the town centre for at least two decades.

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The surge for jobs saw a constant flow of hopefuls visit a three-day recruitment event held at the Regis Centre by the retailer of hardware, gardening and cleaning items.

Mrs Palmer said the applicants ranged from teenagers to those well past the usual retirement age. Not all were out of work.

"People really want to work for a good national employer like Wilkinson," she explained.

"As well as Bognor, they have come from places like Arundel, Ford, Selsey, Chichester and Littlehampton."

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The recession had seen the number of jobless people in the Bognor area top 1,700, she added.

A further job boost for the town centre will come if Morrison receives planning permission to double the size of its building and add 150 employees to its current 170 staff.

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