Response hunts for Manchester space

CALL centre operator Response is looking for 50,000 sq ft of space in Manchester.

The firm, which is owned by Scottish industrial and former Glasgow Rangers chairman Sir David Murray, recently viewed several sites in Manchester as potential bases for its first call centre outside of its home city of Glasgow.

The 20 year-old company currently operates three centres providing outsourced sales and customer contact services for firms in the financial services, telecoms, retail and utilities sectors.

Clients have included AA Breakdown Insurance, the US Embassy and Airdrie Savings Bank, among others. In the year ending June 30, 2010, the company had sales of £40.6m.

Brian Bannatyne, managing director of RESPONSE, said: “We have recently visited Manchester to gain a better understanding of the office space and facilities available.

“As part of our longer-term growth strategy, it is our intention to expand out of Scotland and establish a base in the north of England in the first instance.

“Our recent visits are exploratory helping us to identify and confirm our strategy on location outside of Scotland.”