A total of 425 people have applied for the first 30 jobs at the new £45 million Buckshaw Retirement Village being built at Chorley - a response which has amazed the developers, the Oakbridge Retirement Villages joint venture.
Philip Hill, Assistant Operations Director, said: "The response has been staggering, not just in the high number of applicants but also in the calibre of those applicants. It is even more amazing when you consider that the area has a relatively high level of employment."
The 30 new recruits - the first of more than 120 staff who will be based at Buckshaw Retirement Village - will work at The Lodge, one of three distinct facilities which will make up the development.
The Lodge has been designed to offer specialist facilities for older people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It is due to open in May, and the new recruits will start work towards the end of April.
They have been recruited for the following positions - team leaders, care support workers, housekeepers, kitchen assistants, chefs and receptionists.
Mr Hill said: "There is an excellent skills base of labour in the Chorley and Leyland area and we are delighted with the response to our recruitment drive, although we would still like to hear from more chefs. People who have not been appointed for these initial jobs will still be considered when further opportunities arise in the summer."