A LARGE discount retailer which is opening a new store at the former-site of a Colchester B&Q is looking for new staff to join its team.

The new Home Bargains which is taking over the vacant unit in Lightship Way, is  looking for three new members to join its team before it opens on August 24.

This will be the second Home Bargains in Colchester, as it already has a store located in Turner Rise Retail Park.

The Gazette revealed in April that the store will be opening and will have a 34,000 sq ft space and create up to 100 jobs in the area.

Area - the former B&Q site in Lightship WayArea - the former B&Q site in Lightship Way (Image: Steve Brading)

It will also include a bakery, instore café and a large garden centre.

Now, it’s looking for staff to join its store, the garden centre area, and the café and bakery.

A store team member has a wide range of duties, and the role includes customer service, stock replenishment, handling money, and helping maintain store standards.

The garden centre member will need to water and maintain plants, arrange floral displays, clean equipment, provide customer service, stock replenishment, and more.

In the café and bakery department, the role includes preparing drinks and hot food items, adhere to food preparation and hygiene procedures, stock replenishment and handle money.

Location - a Street View image of the Home Bargains in Turner Rise Retail ParkLocation - a Street View image of the Home Bargains in Turner Rise Retail Park (Image: Google Maps)

The successful candidates in the garden centre and the bakery area will also be expected to cover general store duties when required.

All three jobs have a salary which pays up to £11.88 per hour and the permanent role is up to 24 hours per week.

When it comes to the minimum criteria needed to apply, candidates must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of customer service, have experience handling money and working in retail.

They must have experience of manual handling, and stock replenishment, and should be hardworking, polite and professional.

The successful candidates will receive perks like 10 per cent store discount, paid holiday, staff uniform and access to social and sporting events.

Lightship Way's business unit has been empty since 2021, when DIY retailer B&Q moved from the premises to Stane Park

Applications will close on July 10, to find out more, visit jobs.home.bargains.