THE creation of dozens of new jobs in Barrow by Aldi has been cautiously welcomed.

The supermarket giant announced yesterday an investment to create 2,000 more staff across the UK between now and Christmas.

The supermarket currently has 920 stores and employs 38,000 people across the UK.  

150 of these new jobs created will be based across Cumbria in Barrow, Penrith and Workington.

Barrow Councillor Sam Ronson, said: "Aldi have noticeably been increasing their presence in south Cumbria over the last several years with a number of new stores. With those new stores came criticisms of large companies squeezing out local traders.

"That will always be a concern and we must continue to support our small businesses.

"However, we must also recognise the benefit to our areas that Aldi brings. This 150 new staff will be additional to the already huge number of jobs Aldi have provided in Cumbria for local people. These jobs must be welcomed as good opportunities for Cumbrian people and families."

The supermarket is looking to hire people of all levels of experience to fill roles across the county.

These roles include apprenticeships and part-time positions, including store assistant, who can earn up to £10.57 an hour. Other roles which will available are managerial positions, caretakers and cleaners as well as store apprentices.

Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK Giles Hurley said: "I am unbelievably proud of our amazing Aldi colleagues, and what they have achieved together over the last year.

"As we continue to invest in new stores, bringing unbeatable Aldi prices to millions of customers, we're looking for thousands more colleagues to join out incredible teams across the country."

The supermarket is also recruiting for 900 jobs across its 13 Regional Distribution Centres around the UK, and another 175 vacancies at its head office in Warwickshire. 

In addition, Aldi is also on the lookout for over 80 graduates to join its next graduate scheme intake, which starts in September. 

Managing Director at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Caldwell said: “With the retail sector overall struggling, we welcome the news that Aldi are looking to hire 150 staff around the county in a range of roles from part-time positions to senior management posts.

“However more widely businesses in most sectors throughout the county are really struggling to recruit owing to a lack of candidates and the latest figures show that Cumbria is already close to full employment. With little action from the Government to find solutions to the labour and skills shortage issue, it’s likely that Aldi will experience similar problems – and exacerbate the issue for other employers."