Local jobs

MORE than 160 new jobs will be created at Armstrong Creek Town Centre as new stores get ready to open for a busy lead-up to Christmas and summer season.

The new KFC store will employ about 80 staff, Hungry Jack’s will offer roles for 60 local residents at its new Armstrong Creek store and up to 25 new positions will be created at Dan Murphy’s.

KFC store co-owner Scott Hosking said the 270-square-metre Armstrong Creek store would be the Hosking group’s first KFC store in Geelong with a dual drive-through.

Scott said the store’s position on the Surf Coast Highway was a great location and the store would offer home delivery to local residents.

He said new staff were being trained at the Hosking group’s other KFC stores in Geelong, which would total seven when the Armstrong Creek store opened.

Hungry Jack’s chief marketing officer Scott Baird said the new Hungry Jack’s at Armstrong Creek would have “all the classic burgers, and will feature Jack’s Café, with expertly trained baristas using a superior blend of beans to provide locals and visitors with a rich, velvety, smooth coffee.”

Dan Murphy’s National Renewals Manager Tyson Holbery said the new store would provide “locally relevant drinks experiences to the Armstrong Creek community” with more than 3000 products including local and imported wines, beer, cider, and craft spirits.

“The store will feature a dedicated fine wine area, laid out by region including a lovely selection of local heroes from the Geelong wine region,” Tyson said.

“Our aim is to provide customers with exceptional customer service and our knowledgeable and passionate team members look forward to helping customers with their drinks needs.”

The Town Centre precinct has already created more than 270 jobs for the local community within the centre since it opened in July last year, and many more during construction.

In addition to the expected 160-plus jobs across the three soon-to-open stores on the highway, many more employees will be needed at other new stores set to open before Christmas or in early 2022.

HomeCo said recently opened and ready-to-open stores in the centre include The Reject Shop, Australia Post, Untitled Café, Tempting Taste, Tom’s Marketplace, Indian Grocer, Schnitz and Southern Valley Meats.

Carl’s Jr. Australia, McDonald’s and a 7-Eleven have also been announced for the prime Surf Coast Highway location, with an estimated 30,000 vehicles passing by daily, and will further boost job opportunities in the Armstrong Creek area.

More Town Centre store announcements expected before the end of the year will include a barber as well as medical, physiotherapy and optometrist practices.

HomeCo Daily Needs (HDN) Fund Manager Paul Doherty said HDN acquired the Armstrong Creek Town Centre, which includes the growth area’s only full-line supermarket, in April
this year.

“To date we are pleased with the progress we are making in adding to its convenience-based essential retail offering,” Paul said.

“We look forward to sharing news about some other exciting retailers we are working with to call the centre their home.”