Tesco creates new stores and jobs

Tesco sees potential for growth in the West Midlands

Tesco, the UK's biggest supermarket chain, is to open eight new stores in the West Midlands.

The £200m investment will lead to the creation of up to 3,500 new jobs.

It is believed to be the largest investment programme by a retailer in the area.

Under the company's regeneration partnership, the company will try to find new jobs for long-term unemployed people.

Union applause

Unions welcomed the creation of jobs at a challenging time.

"Given the economic uncertainty facing the region, due to the decline of the traditional industries, we welcome this major commitment by Tesco," said Gary Holz, West Midlands' senior divisional officer of the shopworkers' union Usdaw.

"Retail jobs are a vital component of any successful economy and often prove to be the catalyst to other forms of investment," he added.

Tesco has already announced that it is planning to create up to 20,000 jobs worldwide within the next year as it expands its international operations.

The jobs will be spread through new stores in the UK, Ireland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Thailand, Korea and Taiwan.