The Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, opened the new Food Warehouse (Iceland) flagship store at the Peel Centre in the city.
Wolves at Work employment programme has helped the major new Stafford Street retailer successfully recruit city residents for 50 permanent jobs.
Forty-five of the 50 (90 per cent) retail assistant and night replenishment assistant roles have been filled by City of Wolverhampton residents – and of those 45, 27 were previously unemployed.
The Food Warehouse joins the recently-opened Home Bargains store and JD Gyms’ new gym on the rejuvenated retail park.
Food Warehouse Store Manager, Adam Allmark, said: “It’s great to finally open the doors after a lot of hard work by the team.
“The initial reaction from customers has been very positive and the staff are very proud to be serving them in their home city.”
City of Wolverhampton Council, Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “It is great to see the Peel Centre being brought back to life by these major businesses.
“It is another example of the £3.7 billion of investment currently on site or in the pipeline across the city also paying dividends in terms of job opportunities for the people of Wolverhampton."
Anyone interested in local jobs or employers needing recruitment support in Wolverhampton can register at www.wolvesworkbox.com.
