• Analysis
Starbucks UK hiring: 7,500 baristas to be added as chain plans 500 new shops
Starbucks UK hiring plans run to 7,500 new baristas over the next five years, focused on the Midlands, northern England, Wales and Scotland. The roles will staff 500 new coffee shops the chain hopes to open by 2031.
Where the new jobs will be
Starbucks has set out plans to take on 7,500 new baristas over the next five years, with the roles concentrated in the Midlands, north of England, Wales and Scotland as the chain targets growth north of the M25. The hires will staff 500 new coffee shops Starbucks hopes to open across the country by 2031.
The company already employs more than 18,000 people in the UK. It frames the expansion as a boost to youth employment, pinning its hopes for future growth on the north of the country.
Expansion after restructuring
The growth plan was announced earlier this year, after the chain shut dozens of underperforming outlets in Britain last year as part of a $1bn (£750m) global restructuring.
A hiring push in a cooling jobs market
The plans land at a cautious moment for the UK jobs market. A monthly survey compiled by S&P Global for KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation found permanent job placements fell for the first time in four months, while recruitment for temporary roles also declined, for the first time since March.
The report said employers cut back on hiring in the run-up to last month's budget amid worries about rising costs and the outlook for the British economy.
"October saw employers pull back on hiring in the month leading up to the budget, ending a run of more positive news over recent months."
That is Jon Holt, chief executive and UK senior partner of KPMG, who added that renewed geopolitical and economic uncertainty weighed on confidence, with further energy price shocks and a global bond sell-off pushing borrowing costs higher.
Youth employment backdrop
Starbucks set out its plan before an official report showed the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neets) hit a record high above 1 million at the start of the year.
Darren King, who runs Starbucks UK, said the company wants entry-level roles to be within easy reach of young applicants.
"We're deeply focused on how we can help more young people into these positions, starting by making entry-level roles as accessible as possible."
Starbucks hopes to have the 500 new shops open and staffed by 2031.
