Boost for town as web firm relocates
THE UK’S sixth-largest broadband company has moved from Doncaster to Rotherham in a huge boost for the borough’s business base.
Origin Broadband has rented a giant call centre with room for 700 people on Callflex Business Park in Manvers. The fast-growing firm employs 160 and says it is on target to have more than 250,000 customers by 2020.
Since its launch in 2011, it has developed its own infrastructure and now claims to have the sixth-largest broadband network in the UK. The firm received £5m from investor Calculus Capital in two funding rounds last year. It is spending £2.5m on the move and new premises.
Oliver Bryssau, co-founder and chief executive, said: “We are really excited about Origin’s head office moving to Manvers.
“Doncaster has been a fantastic home for us, but our two current sites are no longer big enough to accommodate our future growth plans.
“Having both our residential and business divisions under one roof will help us share best practice across the whole of Origin.
“Trips have been put on for colleagues to visit the new building and everyone has been impressed with its size and the opportunity it provides for future growth.”
Some 98 per cent of staff had confirmed they would move and the firm was offering CV workshops to those who were leaving, he added.
Rotherham council leader Chris Read said the move showed how attractive Rotherham had become for investors. It has the fastest-growing economy in Yorkshire, new figures show.