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Restaurant Forced To Pull Job Vacancy That Had Almost 950 Applicants Because Of Covid Curfew

Restaurant Forced To Pull Job Vacancy That Had Almost 950 Applicants Because Of Covid Curfew

The restaurant advertised following the success of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme but was later forced to withdraw it

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A restaurant had to pull a server job that had almost 950 applicants due to new coronavirus restrictions.

Peru Perdu, in Manchester, advertised a £8.72 an hour job after experiencing a boost to business during the Eat Out to Help Out scheme

However, when the 10pm curfew was brought in just weeks later it had to pull the vacancy.

Jake was one of almost 1,000 applicants for the job.
True Vision

According to Channel 4's Dispatches, Peru Perdu received a whopping 320 applications for the role in just four days, but when the 10pm curfew was introduced the position was withdrawn.

By the time the role was removed, there had been 947 applications and bosses at the restaurant had narrowed it down to just two candidates.

Speaking on the show, which goes out at 8pm tonight, the restaurant's recruitment consultant Abi Dunn, said: "Normally we would have between 20 and 30 for a role like this.

"I'm shocked and it's a real indication of where the sector is at. We're recruiting in different times."

The show looks at the harsh realities facing many Brits as the coronavirus pandemic sees many firms - including restaurant chains such as Pizza Hut and Pret - cutting jobs.

Applicant Jake, who used to be a manager at a hotel, tells the show: "I thought it would be easier with a degree and ten years of experience, but it has been a struggle.

"I probably only have one-and-a-half month's rent left in the bank account.

"That would only take me through November."

Fellow applicant Faye, who previously worked as a dancer on a cruise ship, was asked how many jobs she'd applied for, to which she replied: "It feels like hundreds. I think it might be hundreds.

"When I first started applying, I was applying for everything. Even things I was probably under-qualified for because, you know, you do feel so desperate."

Former cruise ship dancer Faye also applied. Credit True Vision
Former cruise ship dancer Faye also applied. Credit True Vision

Despite two applications going on to have trial shifts, a change to government policy - and the implementation of the 10pm curfew - meant the role no longer existed.

A visibly emotional Dunn added: "That's heart-breaking isn't it? Because it's another blow.

"If the curfew stays, and there's no sign of revenues increasing. I wouldn't be surprised if there were 900,000 redundancies."

Dispatches: Britain's Covid Jobs Crisis is on Channel 4 tonight (2 November) at 8pm.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Peruperdu

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, Politics