Halfords is looking to temporarily recruit 1,100 new staff to help ahead of the festive period. The temporary vacancies are part of a wider recruitment drive for a range of permanent positions across Halford stores.

Cycling director Paul Tomlinson said: “There has been huge interest in cycling this year as the public seek alternatives to public transport and as a way of keeping fit. As a result we’ve seen a massive surge in demand and sales of bikes and cycling products. We have had tens of thousands of customers on waiting lists for deliveries and this has continued beyond the traditional summer peak, particularly for adult bikes as lockdown continues.”