Landmark site creating 9,000 jobs

Plans include two hotels, a theatre and more than 700 flats

Up to 9,000 jobs are set to be created at the site of the Battersea Power Station complex in London.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions David Blunkett opened a job shop in Battersea Park Road on Tuesday.

It will provide a hub for businesses and job hunters, recruiting staff for jobs created by the £500m project which is due to be completed in 2008/9.

Plans for the 38-acre site include two hotels, a 2,000-seat theatre, a 16-screen cinema and 750 new flats.

Hong Kong developer Victor Hwang, who is in charge of the project, dismissed speculation the site would be sold off once all the planning permissions had been granted.

This is an international project with a truly local dimension Cllr Edward Lister Inside Battersea

Mr Blunkett said the redevelopment would play a "vital role in tackling unemployment in the immediate area and across London".

He added: "There will be real opportunities for local people to share in this regeneration project."

Former power station worker Reg Parmenter said: "I think it's very nice if it turns out it gives plenty of jobs for the people in the area, I wish I was younger now to come back again."

Lambeth College student Francis Kijjambu hoped he would be taken on at the site.

"Being a brick-laying student I am really qualified because have spent over two years in construction studies," he said.

Priority for jobs will be given to people living in the immediate areas of east Battersea and Pimlico.