A LEADING car park operator is creating 35 local jobs after its expansion into new headquarters.

Britannia Parking has taken the seventh floor of the landmark County Gates House after outgrowing its two town centre premises.

The company, part of the Britannia Group, is more than 25 years old and has more than 545 parking sites and 300 staff nationwide. It says the new offices will give it a platform for further expansion across the UK.

Managing director Brian Parker said: “Our move into larger, more modern offices at County Gates House is a direct result of expansion of our services”

“Business growth has become increasingly technology-driven with more staff required at head office. We are seeing strong demand for our services from a range of clients including shopping centres, retail parks, supermarkets and leisure destinations, This expansion has meant we have outgrown our former premises in Bournemouth town centre.

“Our new, open plan head office provides an impressive and highly professional environment for the benefit of our staff, our valued clients, visitors and business associates.

“By consolidating our departments in one location and more jobs created locally, this move marks a new chapter for the company and its ambitious growth plans.”

The company relocated its 37 staff from two offices, including its former head office at Poole Hill, to a floor formerly occupied by IDE Group at County Gates House.

The new office houses all of the company’s departments, including customer service and processing, finance, service delivery, technical support, sales and marketing, and a 24-hour national CCTV control centre.

The company provides multi-storey, underground, airport, surface and temporary car parks for a range of public and private clients. It manages car parks for supermarkets including Waitrose and brewers such as Greene King.

Its technology includes number plate recognition systems, online booking, live audit information, online parking charge notices and live CCTV monitoring. It also provides park-and-ride services for companies including LV=, as well as security services.

It has taken more than 5,500sqft of open plan office space at the eight-storey County Gates House.