BT announced the completion of its new Warrington contact centre in the Birchwood area of the town, following a multi-million pound investment in the building.

Displaying its commitment to Warrington, BT has recruited 110 colleagues in the area within the last year and is now looking to hire a further 15 people to be based at the new building before Christmas.

BT colleagues are taking part in induction sessions as part of a phased return to the office taking place over the next few weeks following the end of Covid-19 restrictions. The impressive future-fit workplace, across two floors, will now be occupied by the communications and technology company, creating a fantastic workspace for around 750 colleagues.

The revamped office has been designed in large part by BT colleagues, for colleagues. It features full height windows providing lots of natural light, new café and restaurant facilities, flexible workspaces, collaboration zones and plenty of greenery for plant lovers. It also includes relax and refuel areas and a games space.

The state-of-the-art building is one of the first of BT’s new look offices to open in the UK as part of its ‘Better Workplace Programme’ – the largest workplace improvement and consolidation scheme of its type ever undertaken in the UK.

The five-year programme, due to complete in 2024, is part of BT’s ambition to increase efficiency and productivity, improving its ability to do the best for its customers and colleagues. The Better Workplace Programme will deliver a combination of moves into new offices and the refurbishment of some existing BT buildings.

Nick Lane, managing director for consumer customer services at BT, said: “Our new contact centre in Warrington will offer our people an impressive and exciting state-of-the-art environment to work in with excellent transport links close by. It boasts some of the latest technology and facilities to help our colleagues thrive at work and to relax and unwind during break periods.

“Warrington is a key location for BT and we’re really pleased to have invested in this new office space and to show our commitment to the town through job opportunities and recruitment over the last year.

“The town, like many places across the country, has suffered economically as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have a number of posts that we need to fill and I would encourage anyone who may be interested to check out our careers website bt.com/careers where more information and details on how to apply can be found.”

BT says that a number of its colleagues have been working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, but many are expected to return to the office over the coming weeks and months following the lifting of Government restrictions.

Last year, BT completed its commitment to answer 100% of its customer service calls in the UK and Ireland – becoming the only major communications provider to do so with the aim of offering the most personal and local service to its customers.

Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “BT’s new contact centre will bring huge benefits to Warrington, creating new employment opportunities for local people and helping further boost our economic recovery, post-Covid.

“I’m delighted that the state-of-the-art facility has now officially opened, with 110 people already recruited into roles, and a further 15 jobs currently on offer. It’s great news for Warrington and is testament to our continuing, strong economic performance, which makes us an attractive place for big businesses to invest.”

Liz Needleman, BT Group regional lead for the North of England, added: “Our investment in the newly opened office in Warrington is a real sign of BT’s commitment and confidence in the region’s ability to make a sustainable recovery after the uncertainty of the pandemic.

“I’m pleased that we have been able to hire over 100 new colleagues in Warrington over the last year and will be recruiting for more contact centre roles before Christmas. It’s exciting that our colleagues will now be able to benefit from this multi-million investment and work in a future-fit workspace.”

BT Group plays an important role in the economy of the North West and is responsible for generating £1 in every £160 produced in the region, according to an independent report. It also generated more than £1.71 billion to the local economy in “Gross Value Added” (GVA)*, during the 2019/20 financial year. BT Group supports more than 19,800 local jobs both directly and indirectly across the region.