JOB seekers turned up in their droves to a drop-in tourism and hospitality business fair.

The event at The Forum in Barrow showcased a wide range of full-time and part-time job opportunities suitable for everyone from school/college leavers to aspiring hotel/restaurant managers and people looking to return to the workplace after a career break.

The Jobs Fair was arranged by Cumbria Tourism and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), alongside partners from Local IQ, Job Centre Plus and Inspira.

Rachel Tyson, head of partnerships and projects at Cumbria Tourism said: “It was fantastic to see so many engaged job seekers attending today’s event. We welcomed over 170 from across Barrow and further afield.

“Today’s event is the latest in our ongoing campaign to support the industry through the current recruitment crisis by highlighting the long term career and training opportunities available within the visitor economy.

“Many businesses have already invited potential workers to interview and from the conversations I expect many to be taking the next step in their career very soon!

“We’re already looking ahead to organising another event but in the meantime anyone looking for a new role can learn more and apply at www.visitlakedistrict.com/jobs”.

The 21 business that were there were:

• Storrs Hall

• Swan Hotel

• Trybooking

• Haven Lakeland

• Inn Collection

• Hargreaves Enterprises Ltd

• Simon Rogan

• Hotel Imperial

• Linthwaite House Hotel

• Windermere Lake Cruises

• National Trust

• Orion Solutions Ltd

• Center Parcs

• English Lakes Hotels

• Lakeside Hotel

• High Spirits Group

• Furness College

• Safari Zoo

• Abbey House Hotel

• Building Better Opportunities

• Cumbria County Council - Barrow Adult Learning

Donna Conroy, who works in events at Abbey House Hotel, said they have struggled to fill a few roles with the competition in the industry quite high.

She said: “It’s been quite continuous since we re-opened and we have struggled in quite a few roles. There is quite a lot of competition in the industry and the hospitality industry has suffered since re-opening.

"A lot of people who did work in the industry have got new jobs that are more 9-5 and it is a 24 hour, seven days a week operation. We appreciate that peoples' priorities may have changed over Covid, but it’s still ongoing.

“We are looking for kitchen staff and seasonal staff mainly for our wedding events so there is quite a good market here today for that.”

Beth Horan, general manager of Hotel Imperial and Hotel Majestic, said: “It’s been very difficult. It’s been a very slow process. There hasn’t been many applicants which is down to Covid and the furlough scheme where people aren’t actively looking for employment because they are on furlough so we found it difficult.

“We have been open the whole time during Covid as a hotel for keyworkers. A lot of my staff have worked all the way through and they have been absolutely brilliant. They have taken on a lot of extra work that they wouldn’t have usually taken on.

“I’m hoping today will help to fill staff so we have a full complement of staff to run the hotel more productively.”

A lot of Furness College students attended the fair ready to engage in their future career plans.

Abbie Robinson, 16, said: “I used to work for Abbey House in hospitality which I really enjoyed and has made me want to pursue a career in that industry.

“I have seen lots of other opportunities here today that do look really good – I’m excited for the future.”