A MULTI-NATIONAL pizza chain has recently stepped up its recruitment drive to fill gaps left by employees returning to their old jobs.

Domino’s Pizza is searching for 5,000 members of staff in the UK to adopt roles such as chefs and delivery drivers.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has warned that employee shortages is a problem affecting businesses across Cumbria.

Managing Director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Caldwell, said:”Some people made redundant or furloughed during Covid have found other jobs and are now choosing to return to their previous roles as more businesses open up, creating vacancies as they leave.

“Others found alternative jobs but are deciding not to return to their earlier roles.

“Added to this are recruitment drives to take on even more people.

“This is a particular issue in hospitality but it’s also hitting others – Dominos is just one example.

“And most of these businesses are fighting over the same pool of staff.

“Urgent action is needed to enable Cumbria to increase its workforce.”

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce also said that Brexit is having a major impact on employment shortages.

Ms Caldwell added:”We’re suffering from the perfect storm of Covid and Brexit.

"We already had a very tight labour market pre-Covid, with basically full employment in some parts of the county, and real challenges for employers throughout.

"Many businesses relied on foreign, and particularly European, workers.

"With the changed rules post Brexit they’re finding it impossible, or at best very difficult, to come here, even where they want to.

"Even knowing that issue was coming, I don’t think any of us would have predicted such recruitment problems as we emerge from Covid lockdown – certainly not on this scale."

Domino’s Pizza has chains across Cumbria, including three in Carlisle, and ones in Workington, Whitehaven and Penrith.