Grocer Morrisons is training homeless people as fishmongers, butchers and bakers as part of the retailer’s pledge to hire 1,000 people that live on the street.

Morrisons will give 10% of its new jobs to ‘vulnerable’ people, including those who are battling addictions.

The fourth biggest grocer is tying up with not-for-profit organisation Create, as well as the Salvation Army, and will train homeless staff in traditional food skills as part of apprenticeships or basic qualifications in retailing.

Morrisons said that the initiative would help them gain the “most loyal and hard-working employees”.

The first five people trained under the scheme have already started work in the new Morrisons store in Harehills, one of the most deprived areas of Leeds.

It said that while in a period of growth it wanted to recruit new staff from all sections of the community.

Norman Pickavance, group HR director for Morrisons, said: “This initiative will help disadvantaged people to get their lives back on track.

“We look forward to taking this approach nationally and we would encourage other British businesses to join us on this initiative.”

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