Ilkeston firm threatens to leave town because of office drought

An Ilkeston business says it may have to leave town if it can’t find premises big enough for its staff.

Digital agency Fifteen, currently based at Armstrongs Mill on Middleton Street near Ilkeston train station, is on the hunt for new premises in the town.

But a 12-month search has so far proved fruitless with the only available premises either being too small for its 32-strong workforce, or having no parking. Now the company is appealing for help in the hunt for new offices in the town and wants to hear from anyone who may have suitable premises.

Managing director, Ollie Piddubriwnyj, said: “We need somewhere that will facilitate a rapidly growing team. We used to have a boardroom but that has been given up to cater for six staff that have been taken on in the past few months.

“We are looking to acquire a quirky building with character, like a warehouse, that befits a digital agency, has staff parking and will allow us to double in size again.

“It has been a struggle finding somewhere and it is holding the company back and hampering our growth.”

Piddubriwnyj has just hired four new staff, taking the total from 28 to 32, and plans to take on 12 more by the end of the financial year. He said that if Fifteen don’t find somewhere soon it may mean that the agency has to move out of town, to Nottingham.

He has met with Erewash MP Maggie Throup to raise his concerns. Throup said: “Fifteen is a hugely successful business that is expanding all the time. This is the kind of business that we need in Erewash.

“Ilkeston has provided a good home for Fifteen to date and I hope they find suitable premises in the near future so they can continue to be a boost to the local economy.”