// Up to 300 jobs to be created with Ocado setting up a new customer service hub in Sunderland
// Ocado signed a 15-year lease for the top two floors of a newly renovated building where Vaux Brewery used to be based
// It will be Ocado’s 2nd customer service hub as it preps for tie-up with M&S
Ocado has announced plans to open a new customer service hub in Sunderland, which will create 300 new jobs and prepare the retailer for the M&S tie-up.
The online retailer has agreed to a 15-year lease for the top two floors of The Beam, a newly-renovated building based on the site where the Vaux Brewery was once located in the centre of Sunderland.
Ocado said it would open job applications by the end of this year.
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The Sunderland site will be the online grocer’s second customer service centre as it prepares for its joint venture with Marks & Spencer, which will come into effect in September next year.
The 300 new roles at the site are expected to “provide key customer service support” for the joint venture.
“We’re pleased to be coming to Sunderland as we grow our market-leading customer service proposition,” Ocado customer service general manager Ian Pattle said.
“The new contact centre will support our existing service and we look forward to welcoming new talent from the local area to our team.”
Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller said: “Ocado’s decision to invest in The Beam is absolutely fantastic news not only for Sunderland but for the entire Northeast region.
“We have built a fantastic relationship with Ocado over the course of the last year, and we will build on that to ensure they’re supported to make their new Sunderland base an overwhelming success.
“We couldn’t be happier that we’ve attracted such an exceptional brand to our city centre and we look forward to supporting them as they build a team and grow from here.”
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