SUPERMARKET giant Asda has started recruiting for 70 new jobs at its new £2.2m “mini department store” in Cowley.

The new Asda Living will sell homeware, furnishings, electrical goods and the George clothing range.

As well as shop-floor positions, the new store on Templars Retail Park is looking to fill managerial roles and roles such as Baby Adviser and Visual Merchandiser. Opening in late April in the former JJB Sport and Comet units, it will be the first Asda Living store to open in 2011 and the chain’s first store in Oxford.

The owners of Templars Retail Park, Resolution Properties, revealed last year that they were in talks with “well-known supermarket operators” to occupy part of the B&Q unit on the park, with the DIY giant reducing its floor space. But Avnish Raichura, of Asda, said Asda was not in talks with Resolution.

The Cowley store is the 26th of 150 Asda Living shops to open in the next five years. General store manager Mike Doidge said: “It’s very exciting to see the new store coming together and we’re looking forward to creating a great team of local colleagues.” To apply, go to www.asda.jobs/hourly.