Thousands seek job at city’s new Primark branch

Almost 4500 applications were received for 557 retail and management positions at the budget clothing store over a three-week period.

The news comes as councillors voted in favour of a planning application to extend the Gyle Shopping Centre to make way for another new Primark store in the Capital.

All 557 of the new positions have now been filled at the new flagship store in Princes Street and staff training is under way.

A spokesman for Primark said: “We have been very impressed with the high quantity and calibre of applications.

“We have recruited a total of 557 management and staff in our Princes Street store and received almost 4500 applications for these positions.

“It clearly shows that the people of Edinburgh are not only excited about Primark’s arrival, but that they are equally interested in working with Primark.”

He added: “The new store, which covers 75,000 sq ft of retail space over five floors, will bring strong economic benefits to the city and will also help revitalise the shopping experience in the city centre.”

The arrival of the Princes Street store has been welcomed by the city council, which highlighted the significant economic and employment benefits that the company will bring to Edinburgh.

Councillor Tom Buchanan, the city’s economic development leader, said: “The new Primark store is an exciting flagship development for the city which is eagerly anticipated by many shoppers.

“Clearly, it’s also very attractive to jobseekers and I’m pleased that there’s been such a strong level of interest.

“Both the development of the store and the ongoing employment it will provide are of great economic benefit to Edinburgh.”

The Princes Street store will be Primark’s 19th in Scotland.

Members of the development management sub-committee yesterday voted 8-6 in favour of an extension to the Gyle Shopping Centre, incorporating units 33 to 36 inclusive to form a single, new retail unit spread over two floors.

Those who voted against the proposal claimed it would have a detrimental impact on the city centre and also said the design was not compatible with the existing characteristics of the Gyle Shopping Centre building.

However, city planning leader Councillor Jim Lowrie, who voted in favour of the extension, said: “Some councillors were against it because they thought it would harm Princes Street, but Princes Street is a completely different shopping experience and the Gyle isn’t really competing against Princes Street.

“It is really competing against Livingston and perhaps to some extent, Straiton. I think the Gyle is an ideal place.”