Pub Receives Almost 500 Applications For Two Bar Jobs In Five Days

A pub in London received almost 500 applications for two bar jobs within just five days, amid job losses across the country.

Mick Dore, general manager of the Alexandra pub in Wimbledon, was taken aback by the response to his job ads, which he would normally expect to attract around a dozen applications.

As well as the overwhelming volume of applications, Mick was also alarmed by the quality of candidates, which ranged from former air stewards, restaurant managers and experienced shop workers recently made redundant, he told The Times.

Due to the high standard of applicants, he ended up employing six new staff members.

Disconcertingly, this is not an unusual occurrence in the current recruitment climate.

Responding to Mick's tweet about the influx of applications, one person said: "Recruitment is ridiculous at the moment, we recently had around 300 applicants for a basic admin role we'd normally get 15 or 20 applications for. And a month after the closing date we're still receiving CVs in response to it."

Rob Fisher, who runs the Fitzrovia Belle Pub and Hotel in central London, also received more than 400 applicants for just a few roles.

He told The Times: "The quality of people looking for work right now is as good as it ever has been. Unfortunately it's because of the situation people have found themselves in."

PA

According to the paper, job site Indeed has seen a 589 percent increase in the number of searches for 'supermarket' roles compared with this time last year, while maintenance job searches are 440 percent up and forklift operator searches are 239 percent up.

Conversely, job postings on the site are 59 percent down.

Last week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced plans to boost the hospitality industry by giving people 50 percent off food and non-alcoholic drinks.

The incentive will be offered throughout the UK between Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August, up to the value of £10 per head.

The initiative was announced as part of the chancellor's 'Plan for Jobs' scheme.

Sunak said: "The best jobs programme we can do is to restart these sectors, and get our pubs, restaurants, cafes and B&Bs bustling again.

"I know people are cautious about going out, but we wouldn't have listed the restrictions if we didn't think we could do so safely.

"I've seen in the last few weeks how hard business are working to make their premises safe, and if we follow the guidance and respect what they ask us to do, we can all enjoy summer safely.

"In turn, we need to give these businesses the confidence to know that if they open up, invest in making their premises safe and protect jobs, demand will be there - and be there quickly."

You can find out more about the Government's Plan For Jobs scheme here.

Topics: UK News, Pubs, Coronavirus

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey