by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Around 1,500 people applied for just 192 jobs at the new John Lewis food hall in Bluewater.

Managing director Simon Russell said the quality of the applicants had been impressive. Some recruits had already started and entered training ahead of the official opening on August 6. "The response has just been staggering," he said.

"We’re getting towards the end and it would be wrong to suggest that maybe other people who have seen the story and are hoping to apply have a chance of a job. We have enough to be going on with."

He added: "It’s been fantastic. We’ve had applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds. Nobody gets a job unless they are passionate about food, and have the right attitude."

Some 21 full-time and 171 part-time jobs have been created, including 14 specialists in meat, fish, cheese and wine. There will also be three food advisors.

The Bluewater outlet, which will be the centre’s first major competitor to Marks & Spencer in 10 years, will be only the second John Lewis Foodhall.

The first opened in December 2007 in the London Oxford Street store. Bosses were so pleased with the performance that they decided to test it in an out-of-London location. If it does well at Bluewater, the concept may be rolled out to other John Lewis department stores.

Over the past few months, the basement of the Bluewater store has been converted into the John Lewis Foodhall from Waitrose as part of a £21.9million store facelift. Electrical goods are also being moved alongside the food hall.

Mr Russell said a wide range of lines would come from the John Lewis supermarket subsidiary Waitrose but it would also stock around 400 items exclusive to the food hall. As many products as possible would be sourced from Kent producers.

Although the economy had been tough, Mr Russell said food retailers had continued to do well and it was a good time to provide the new service. It should tempt people to make more frequent visits to the store. "Food is a great attraction to actually get people to visit more often."

A wine and food bar will offer customers samples of the food hall range before they buy. "It’s a whole kind of experience at everyday prices," Mr Russell said. "It adds a completely different dimension to the shop and we’re all looking forward to being grocers."

Overall trading was still difficult, Mr Russell said, but "things are looking slightly more promising. It’s been really tough but we’re hopeful that the future is brighter".