New city contact centre proves a real curtain-raiser

An international theatre operator has expanded its presence in the North East after relocating its contact centre to one of the region's newest office developments.

An international theatre operator has expanded its presence in the North East after relocating its contact centre to one of the region's newest office developments.

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has moved into a new 2,400sq ft office at The Yard in the heart of Riverside Sunderland.

Previously operating within the Sunderland Empire Theatre, the 57-strong team is one of the group's three national offices in the UK.

The move, which will bring together its contact centre and group bookings teams under one roof, has already created three full-time jobs and marks the company's continued investment into the city.

Cate Gordon, Business Manager for ATG Tickets, said: "We had been searching for a new space for quite some time however we knew we'd found the perfect place as soon as we were shown around The Yard.

"We had outgrown our space within the theatre, and we wanted to remain within close proximity to it so that our staff didn't feel separated from the rest of the company, and you can't get much closer than the street almost immediately behind it.

"Another key motivator was being able to improve the wellbeing of our team, which is something we are really focusing on as a business and it ticked all the boxes on that front, too.

"It has a gym, cycle storage, dedicated break-out and wellbeing spaces and is right in the centre of the city. It's just what we were looking for."

The Yard opened its doors earlier this year following Hanro Group's £3.5million redevelopment of the former Gilbridge Police Station.

The development is a key part of Riverside Sunderland, one of the UK's largest city centre regeneration projects which is expected to create some 10,000 jobs and has already secured relocations from Ocado, Asset 55 and North East Screen, with RSA to follow in 2024.

And with a new multi-storey car park having opened its doors this month - just a stone's throw away from The Yard - and its superfast 5G internet connectivity soon to be rolled out, ATG is excited about what the future holds for the business.

Cate added: "It's a really exciting time to be moving to Riverside Sunderland with all of the developments that are underway or in the pipeline.

"ATG is a business built on attracting people to visit city centres so we're naturally passionate about placemaking and preserving our high streets and this move really embodies that.

"Not only are we helping to attract more people to come and work in the city centre, but we are ensuring more money is spent on the high street with local bars, restaurants and cafes.

"We've even worked with local contractors throughout the fitting out of the offices, so it's been a real investment from ATG not just into the business, but into the city as a whole."

The team at ATG was introduced to and shown around The Yard by the Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council.

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for dynamic city at Sunderland City Council, said: "The decision by ATG to continue investing in Sunderland city centre with the opening of a new, dedicated contact centre is fantastic news for the city.

"As a business which operates 38 venues across the UK, it could have chosen absolutely anywhere to open its contact centre, so the fact that it has chosen to continue investing in Sunderland is testament to the city's unrivalled offering and we are delighted that they are continuing to invest here."