A SOUTHEND business is expanding to meet demand with a new office.

Ventrica is opening its new contact centre penthouse suite in Tylers Avenue.

This expansion and a second site planned in 2017 will create 200 new jobs.

The extension is due to an increased demand for its customer services and forms part of the company’s ambitious growth plans.

The new roof-top wing takes the business skywards, providing the customer management specialist with a total of 19,000 sq ft of designer contact centre space with views over the Thames estuary.

The whole centre has 330 seats and will house a workforce of up to 480 full and part-time staff for the 24-hour operation, up from 280 currently employed.

An additional site at another location is also part of the company’s future strategy over the next 12 to18 months, and will ultimately add a further 300 places to the operation.

Dino Forte, managing director and founder of Ventrica, said: “Our vision for the whole centre is to create amazing spaces that change peoples’ thoughts.

“Everything’s about the staff.

“We want everyone to be proud to work here and also feel inspired to surpass the expectations of both our clients and their customers.”