Derby doughnut firm inundated with job applications

Expanding luxury doughnut maker Project D has said it has been inundated with job applications – with more than 900 people applying for a single position.

The company, which moved into its new Derby bakery last month, is currently recruiting an extra 100 new staff to allow it to operate 24-hours-a-day and extend home delivery routes across the country.

Since May, Project D, which produces handmade artisan doughnuts, has recruited 26 new members of staff, taking the workforce to 54.

But the firm’s directors said they have seen rising numbers of applicants every time a position is created.

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Most recently an advert for a bakery assistant received 900 letters of application in less than a week, while 711 candidates applied to become a baker.

Co-director Max Poynton said: “We are being overwhelmed with applications every time we advertise and it is noticeable that the numbers increase with each vacancy.

“We’re also getting plenty of applications from highly-skilled catering professionals – with excellent experience.

“It’s clear that this profession has been hit hard by lockdown and we assume that when the furlough scheme ends later in the year this situation will worsen.

“Of course, it’s great for Project D as we have been able to recruit some sensational new bakers but it’s sad to receive so many CVs from people who have been laid off, seen their own business close or from graduates struggling to find a job.”

Project D has big plans for 2021. This year, government guidelines permitting, it hopes to open a flagship store in Leeds, as well as units in Manchester and London.

It currently delivers to doorsteps from Leeds to Birmingham, but during the next six months the routes will widen across the rest of the UK.

Max said: “It is almost impossible to reply to every applicant at the moment because we have simply received so many.

“But obviously we will keep all the suitable CVs on file for future positions.

“We still struggle to keep up with demand for our doughnuts, so we intend to keep recruiting throughout the course of 2021.”