Tesco Bank is creating 1,000 new jobs in Newcastle following a decision to establish a customer service centre in the city. Recruitment will start early next year with the first 500 roles to be created by the end of 2010.

The new centre will be based at Quorum Business Park, Newcastle and will manage customer sales and service for Tesco Bank’s home and motor insurance customers. The roles are being created as part of Tesco Bank’s general insurance partnership with Fortis UK, announced in June.

Earlier this year Tesco announced that it had created 200 jobs at its Edinburgh headquarters and said that it will be recruiting a further 800 full-time jobs at a new customer service centre in Glasgow.

Tesco Bank’s decision to locate the centre in Newcastle is a boost was supported by a grant of nearly £2m from the regional development agency for North East England, One North East.

Benny Higgins, chief executive of Tesco Bank, says: “The North East of England has strong experience in customer services and the financial sector, with a well qualified and enthusiastic workforce. The city is a great fit for our business and as it develops we will be investing even more in the region over the coming years.”