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200 jobs being created in South Shields
HUNDREDS of new jobs are set to be created at a former South Tyneside call centre.
Local firm Utilitywise has revealed plans to double its workforce after moving into the former Garlands site in Market Dock, South Shields.
Recruitment is already under way, and the company is ready to make 200 new jobs available during 2012.
It comes as a boost for South Tyneside’s economy, with new figures showing 7,227 people in the borough claimed Jobseekers Allowance in January.
The borough remains a regional jobless blackspot, with 7.2 per cent of the working age population now claiming benefit, compared with 5.6 per cent across the North East.
Utilitywise, which relocated last month after outgrowing its former base at Albert Dock, Jarrow, helps businesses to manage their electricity, water and gas to save energy.
Adam Thompson, Utilitywise managing director said: “We have big expansion plans for 2012. Energy costs are one of the major pressures businesses of all shapes and sizes face.
“While securing the best rate is important, the biggest savings in energy costs come from reducing consumption and that is where we are able to support businesses, which is good news for them and for the environment.
“Having moved into the new premises we’re now able to offer our clients the complete package of savings under one roof.”
Most of the new jobs will be in customer services and managing the accounts of business clients.
Mr Thompson said the expansion plans have been driven by the success of an energy monitoring system, which has been installed at business premises across the country.
Developed by Utilitywise, the system allows businesses to identify where they can make energy cost savings.
The company has grown rapidly since it was founded in Jarrow in 2006, and currently employs 190 people.
The move has finally found a new use for the former Garlands call centre, which stood empty for more than 18 months.
It closed in May 2010 following the collapse of Garlands, when 178 workers were made redundant.
The employees later took their former bosses to a tribunal, where it was ruled that they should receive almost £3,000 each.
The call centre was built in 2007, despite objections from residents in the area about heavy traffic and parking, and the size and appearance of the building.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
matt78
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:43 PMI remember the roof used to leak when it was St.Bedes Parish Centre, but not so much it could be confused for a dock!
front street eb
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:29 PMoutgrowing its former base at Albert 'Dock', Jarrow
gypsey91
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:27 PM. give them loan. to build bt building.and bought the 200 jobs. s.tc.
bewilderedonlooker
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:22 PMYou'd have thaught with the constant monitoring of our comments that takes place on here someone at the Gazette would have picked up on this! That said the park has probably been refered to as the "BT riverside park" on an internal council document, because they needed a name so they knew what their refering to, "its a park, on the riverside next to the New BT building, we'll call it the BT riverside park for now, but when its built it will have a different name" was probably the conversation in a dark corner of the townhall one day.
MaxKershaw
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 03:08 PMYeah, thanks I had to do a double take on that, thought the Gazette and the Council knew something they werent telling the rest of us...
bewilderedonlooker
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:55 PMMax the reference to the park as BT riverside park in the vote is probably a typo (or a bit of mischief on the part of someone at the Gazette) if you read the article about the park they say ""The two designs here capture the way an as-yet-unnamed public riverside park", so it hasn't got a name yet I would hope that they ask for ideas from the public or at least consult over it, I doubt it was ever going to be called the "BT riverside park"
MaxKershaw
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:23 PMWho decided to call the park the 'BT Riverside Park' ? . Cmon, this is like Ashley changing St. James Park to whatever, only in this case its a done thing before its even built. As usual, no consultation with the public.
hayley4315
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:22 PMI await my job offer,,,,
sickandtired
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 02:09 PMThey could have easily moved into the old town hall buildings on Westoe road, you know, the one the council spent hundreds of thousands of tax payers’ money on and then left empty. Or they could have built the BT centre or the Garlands buildings on the disused ground behind Fowler street, and "No" I don’t mean the car parks, I’m talking about the empty plot further up, thus leaving the Mill Dam area for use on something that the public (you may remember them, those people who pay taxes) actually want. The planning department are just as guilty as the council in making this once great town an eye sore.
BoldonLad
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:56 PMoops, forgot to say, that does not mean I am against the provision of 200 new jobs, great news.
BoldonLad
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:56 PMOr, they could have gone to one of the many other empty buildings on South Tyneside. There are several on Boldon Business park for example.
Planning Portal
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 01:52 PMCome on. Where are all the people that wanted BT to move into this building???????? This would not have been possible if BT did not build the new building & 200 jobs would have went elsewhere.
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