Selkirk set for new jobs boost?

David Knox 1607 - 1607 • Published 3 Dec 2008 09:00 0 Comments

A BORDERS firm is in line to deliver an early Christmas present - up to 200 new jobs.

Careline Services, based in Selkirk, have already bucked the recent recession by creating more than 50 posts over the past month.

And it is waiting on the results of a tendering bid for a contract which would almost double its workforce of 250.

Dozens of companies around the central Borders are currently laying off staff as downturns in almost all sectors have been recorded.

But Careline"s contact centre at Riverside Business Park is in demand - and further success with the Blood Transfusion Service would bring added cheer .

A spokesman at the firm"s London head office told the Border Telegraph: 'We are in the process of trying to win the the Blood Transfusion Service contract.

'We are one of a few companies being considered.

'If we were successful the contract would create anything up to 200 jobs.'

The 11-year-old company operates two offices outside of London - at Selkirk and Chiswick - as well as a centre in South Africa.

And it recently landed a major contract with entertainment store HMV which is creating as many as 60 jobs at its Borders base.

The spokesman added: 'We are upstaffing at the moment because of the HMV contract - somewhere between 40 and 60 extra jobs.'

The news has been welcomed by one the company"s former employees, local councillor Kenny Gunn.

Councillor Gunn told us: 'Careline have a dedicated staff and very professional management so it comes as no surprise they are doing so well.

'Creating up to 60 jobs is fantatsic at any time, but even more welcome with what is going on elsewhere.

'We must all keep our fingers crossed that they win the Blood Transfusion Service contract as well.'

Careline already boast such high-profile clients as Sky, BT, Virgin, Waterstone"s and Pizza Hut.

But the blood-donor contract would be amongst its biggest.

Unemployment in the Borders has increased by 281, to 1078, in the 12 months from last October.

And experts predict further increases over the winter.

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 03 Dec 08

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