Darrell takes charge as new Costa Coffee opens at Hollinwood Junction

Costa Coffee has opened the doors to a new Drive-Thru at Hollinwood Junction, creating 13 new jobs in Oldham.

One of the new jobs is the new store manager’s position for Darrell Tarkenter, who has worked his way up from being a barista in the Costa Coffee store at the Old Town Hall, to manager.

Darrell was helped into his career in 2016 by Get Oldham Working - an Oldham Council service which provides free employment and recruitment support to residents and businesses.

Prior to starting at Costa Coffee, he completed a paid traineeship through Get Oldham Working at Dunwood Park Café in Shaw.

Darrell said: “I had such a great experience with Get Oldham Working that I had no hesitation turning to them for support recruiting colleagues for the new store.

“We’ve now got a fantastic full team and I look forward to seeing their careers develop, just like mine has.”

The new Costa is the latest business to join the £35m Hollinwood Junction regeneration development which is being delivered through a partnership between Oldham Council and developer Langtree.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Reform, said: "It’s great to see first-hand how Hollinwood Junction is opening up jobs and opportunities for local residents and our Get Oldham Working Team continue to create positive change that really makes a difference to people's lives.

"Hollinwood Junction is a really exciting project which is regenerating the area and creating homes and investment in Oldham.

"The development is playing an important role in Oldham's recovery from the pandemic, and we wish everyone the best of luck in their new roles."

Simon Foden, Group Senior Development Manager at Langtree, said: “I’ve already popped in for a coffee to inspect the finished job - and both the coffee and the new site were excellent.

"We’re looking forward to moving onto the next phase and creating more jobs and infrastructure for the people of Oldham.”

The Costa Coffee Drive-Thru store has opened following the completion of infrastructure works by contractor I&H Brown. Contractor Stainforth Construction then built the store.

Susan Agnew from Costa Coffee, said: “We are delighted to be working with Langtree and Oldham Council to deliver a Costa Coffee Drive Thru in this phased development.

“We have all been working very hard, throughout the pandemic, to ensure the delivery of this acquisition and it is part of Costa’s continued commitment to expand our Drive-Thru operations throughout the country.”

Hollinwood Junction is expected to create 760 jobs and incorporate retail, leisure, employment and up to 150 family homes. The site is adjacent to junction 22 of the M60, south west of Oldham town centre.

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