The local council has invested in the firm which will create 80 new jobsA Southend-based call centre is benefiting from investment from the local council and is set to create more than 80 new jobs.
Ventrica have opened a new three quarter of a million wing at its base after receiving over £100,000 from Southend Council
The firm has grown from having no jobs to 160 in five years and hopes to nearly double the staff by the middle of 2016.
Managing director, Dino Forte, said of the new wing: “This has been a very costly exercise and we originally thought it would be half a million pounds. But it ended up being three quarters of a million, as a lot of the expense in this business is the technology, so the grant definitely helped with that.
“Had we not received that money, we still would have expanded, but it’s helped relieve some of the pressure, helped us to install more technology and helped us grow quicker.
“Without it, we would probably have had to scrimp on things like air conditioning, but I believe very strongly in employees having a comfortable, enjoyable place to work – that’s why we have a head massage lady come in every week and always have lots of fruit delivered.”
The council was able to provide financial help for the investment after it secured cash from the European Union.
