Christmas has come early for job-seekers at a department store in Wrexham.
Debenhams at Eagles Meadow shopping centre has taken on 17 Christmas temps in in the run up to the busy festive period.
It’s expected a number of the seasonal workers could be kept on permanently in the New Year.
Among the new temps is mum-of-two Katherine Owen, 25, from Wrexham, who has just got back into the workplace after seven years looking after her children full-time.
She said: “I love being back in work. The staff here are lovely and so are the customers.
“Being a fulltime mum is the best feeling because I love being with the kids. I love them to bits.
“I wanted to get back to work now that the children are all in school.
“I’ve seen a lot of possible stocking fillers here for them already, and because I’m working it means I’ll have some extra cash.
Selling Support Manager at Debenhams at Eagles Meadow, Andrew Smethurst, said: “We’re expecting an exceptionally busy Christmas period, and the Christmas temps will be first in the queue for any fulltime jobs because we will have had the chance to see what they can do.”
Store assistant Angharad Matthias, 18, from Bwlchgwyn, is very excited about getting her first ever job.
The ex-Ysgol Moragn Llwyd school pupil, said: “I’ve never had a job before and this is a really good first one to have. I’m going to college next year and I want to do a fashion course at Coleg Cambria.
“That’s why I was really excited about getting the job because I’ll get to learn about fashion.
“They do fashion shows here for charity and I’d love to be involved in them. I’ve always been interested in fashion.
“The best thing about working her is that it’s fun, and because of that the days goes by very quickly. You get to meet lots of different people here.
“Karen is lovely and she looks after everyone, and if we have a problem she’s never far away.
“Now that I’m working I’ll be able to buy some nice clothes. I’ve seen a few things at Debenhams that I like – the shoes are my favourite.
Former nursery worker Emily Meyers, 19, from Moss Valley, added: “We’ve been helping with the deliveries, and marking things for sale using the price guns. You pick things up quite quickly, but if you are struggling with anything here all you have to do is ask and someone will help you.”
Matt Moore, 30, from Wrexham, who used to work as a medieval guard at Chirk Castle, said: “It’s a nice place to work, its good fun here, and the staff look after you. I’ve been looking for work for six months, so it’s a big relief to have a job. Looking for a job is stressful.”
Supervisor Karen Jervis, is proud of the new recruits.
She said: “They’re doing really well because everything I’ve given them to do they’ve listened and done what’s expected of them. They’re a great bunch.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley added: “Eagles Meadow already employs around 1,000 staff and the news that we will be seeing new faces behind the tills at our stores over the next few weeks, through Christmas and into the New Year sales, is excellent – I certainly hope that some of them will become permanent members of our team here at Eagles Meadow.”
