HALF of the 500 full-time jobs that a new £50m shopping centre in Didcot will bring will go to those under 25, a new survey has revealed.

Developers Hammerson plc of the Orchard Centre commissioned a report to look at the extent to which a major shopping centre can act as a hub for towns across the country.

The report found that 96 per cent of the new jobs at the Orchard Centre will go to people in the town, 50 per cent of which going to under 25s.

The centre is also expected to generate £4.3m in business rates and retailers will invest more than £500,000 to train employees.

Development manager at Hammerson Thomas Cochrane said: “We are proud of the significant contribution that the Orchard Centre and its retailers make in supporting local jobs, developing skills for the next generation, and generating financial benefits for the local and national economy.

“The Orchard Centre continues to develop and we are excited not just about increasing Didcot’s retail offer with high-quality brands such as M&S Foodhall, H&M, River Island, TK Maxx and Starbucks, but also about the potential to deliver additional jobs and further benefits for the local economy.”

Annual wage payments for employees at the centre are expected to total £10.4m.