UNEMPLOYED people looking for work were given a boost when Bicester’s first job club opened its doors.

Scores of people took advantage of the event, which Cherwell District Council pledged will take place every fortnight.

Bicester Job Club, the idea of North Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry, is modelled on the Banbury club which was launched earlier this year.

Job club events have also been held in Oxford.

Mr Baldry said: “One of the rather depressing features of a recession is the number of people who have been losing their jobs.

“Quite a lot of people were self employed working for one or two contractors. As that business has dried up they have effectively lost their businesses.

“Every sector of the economy has been hit.

“As a community we wanted to try to make sure we responded to this in a way that meant no-one was going to get left behind. The purpose of the job club is to support people while they look for work and help them get back into the world of work.”

Barry Wood, leader of the district council, which is backing the initiative, said: “I believe we have to work much harder now and bring this part of the country out of recession first.

“I do not know when the recession will end, but when it does the job club will end.”

The idea of the job club is to give people who have lost their job or who are facing redundancy a place to meet and get advice.

A host of experts will be on hand at the Kings Arms, Market Place, every other Friday, to give information about training, careers, benefits and setting up your own business.

On Thursday, representatives from BHS, Bicester Village and Iceland were recruiting at the launch event.

Nadine Stiffle, of Langford Village, Bicester, said she was looking for “flexible” part-time work to fit around her son.

Claire Leach, of Bicester, said: “I’m desperate for a job.

“I’m a single parent, my son is nine and I’ve been out of work for five years.

“Since I left school I worked in retail, so I’ve applied to Iceland.”

Keith Watson, chairman of Bicester Chamber of Commerce, said: “It will give a boost to the unemployed and will help with the recovery.”

smcgregor@oxfordmail.co.uk