One of the island’s major whole- sale distributors has started a recruitment drive in preparation for the America’s Cup.

Butterfield & Vallis is looking to expand its warehouse workforce to deal with the influx in business from the event and ensure it can continue to service its regular customers.

Alun Hughes, general manager of the firm’s food service division, said that Butterfield & Vallis was very exited about what it expected to be an “exceptional year”.

“It’s been a long, hard seven or eight years, so we are excited about the America’s Cup and, quite honestly, from a hospitality perspective it’s simply wrong to suggest that this event is not creating employment opportunities for Bermudians,” he said.

“We placed an advert on the Government’s job board yesterday as well as internally to prepare for what we all know will be an exceptional year.

“We have already had 120 people view this advert and received 13 completed application forms in one day.

“We have started this process now because we know there will be in an increased demand on business and we have existing customers to service as well.

“This is likely to be the busiest summer we have had in more than a decade.”

The job advert states that Butterfield & Vallis is looking to recruit permanent and seasonal staff for the America’s Cup.

It continues: “The positions available range from general warehouse support to heavy truck drivers.”

Mr Hughes added: “We are also working closely with other agencies to understand the needs of additional services, whether that be the superyachts visiting the island for the event or the America’s Cup Village itself.

“It is going to be an exceptional year for hospitality in Bermuda whether that be hotels, restaurants or caterers and we need to get ourselves organised to make sure we can meet the increased demand; that means recruiting more people.”