A NEW Christmas JobShop opens in Festival Place tomorrow for those looking for seasonal work.

The pilot project is aimed at people wanting to bag a festive job, putting them in touch with the shops and restaurants and other town centre businesses that need extra pairs of hands to get them through the busiest time of year.

Taking over half of the information desk in Festival Place, the JobShop will be open from 9am to 6pm from tomorrow until Friday, November 5, except for Sunday, when it will open from 11am to 5pm.

The JobShop is an employment initiative from Basingstoke council in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and the town centre employers in Festival Place, The Malls and the Top of the Town.

Anyone registering with the JobShop will be able to browse a database of vacancies available that suit the sort of work they are looking for.

Cllr Paul Harvey (pictured), Basingstoke council's Cabinet member for employment, skills and learning, said: "Traders in the town centre are crying out for extra employees at this time of year to get them through the festive season. There is a flurry of ads in the papers and posters in shop windows.

"We wanted to have a more co-ordinated approach to putting the traders wanting staff in touch with people looking for holiday work.

"We hope many of the new employees will find this just the opportunity they are looking for to get a new job for the new year, too."

Lindsay Blundell, manager of Basingstoke Jobcentre Plus, added: "We are pleased to use our expertise to work with the council and employers wanting staff for the Christmas season.

"Any customers receiving benefits and starting work should contact Jobcentre Plus prior to starting, to get advice and help in claiming tax credits."

Employers wanting to promote their Christmas vacancies can contact Jobcentre Plus on 01256 726519.