Just Eat plans 1500-job boost in £100 million North East expansion

An online food delivery firm has revealed £100 million plans to create more than 1500 North East jobs.

Just Eat says it wants staff to bolster its customer care division.

The company, which works with fast food chains including McDonald’s, Subway and Newcastle-founded baker Greggs, says workers will be based at a site in Houghton-le-Spring.

Officials say about 300 jobs have already been filled, with positions outstanding across customer service advisory roles and team leader and management posts.

Employees will begin working from home, with plans in place to operate a hybrid model across the coming months.

Just Eat’s UK customer care team supports more than 58,000 restaurant partners and millions of consumers, helping the former with menus and the latter with order enquiries.

Reacting to the news, Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re thrilled to have supported Just Eat to make its move to Sunderland, joining a dynamic business community and creating jobs and opportunities for people across the city.

“We’re very proud of what Sunderland offers as a place to do business.

“It is vindication of that offer when brands like Just Eat are drawn to the city thanks to the work of our team and colleagues from Invest North East England and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP).”

Andrew Moffat, chair of NELEP’s investment board, added: “Just Eat’s commitment to create more than 1000 jobs in the North East and continue its investment in apprenticeships and long-term career development is great news for Sunderland, and our region.”

Andrew Kenny, Just Eat’s UK managing director, said the business was pleased to be further extending its reach across the country.

He added: “Alongside the launch of our worker model for couriers, this move will help us to bring the very best service to our customers and restaurant partners as demand for food delivery goes from strength-to-strength in the UK.

“As a platform that covers 95 per cent of UK postcodes, we also know the importance of increasing career opportunities outside of London and the South East.

“We’re pleased to be announcing our commitment to the North East, to help boost the region’s economy.”