Jobs created by parking firm's move to Wigan

An international parking company has created 30 jobs since moving its customer services office to Wigan town centre.
Gina Yates (Wigan Council Invest in Wigan team), Lesley Dorian (customer services manager), Lauren Burgess (apprentice), Brenda McKenna (regional manager) outside APCOAs new premises in Wigan town centreGina Yates (Wigan Council Invest in Wigan team), Lesley Dorian (customer services manager), Lauren Burgess (apprentice), Brenda McKenna (regional manager) outside APCOAs new premises in Wigan town centre
Gina Yates (Wigan Council Invest in Wigan team), Lesley Dorian (customer services manager), Lauren Burgess (apprentice), Brenda McKenna (regional manager) outside APCOAs new premises in Wigan town centre

Wigan Council has been working with APCOA Parking UK Ltd to help the relocation run smoothly.

And a point has been made of occupying a long vacant building rather than have a purpose-built one created.

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Since decamping from its base in Uxbridge, the firm is now based in the Meeks building in Wigan’s Rowbottom Square.

Brenda McKenna, regional manager for APCOA, said: “We have offices in the south but we were in need of a northern base and it was important to us to ensure this was in an area where we already had a presence.

“We looked at a few opportunities in different towns but we manage a number of car parks in Wigan so that, alongside its connectivity links and the fact it sits within the Northern Powerhouse, swayed things for us.

“The effect on our business has been immediate.

“Our service targets have already been exceeded and we have seen a real improvement to our customer service processes - Wigan is a great place to do business.

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“APCOA is currently looking at which other services we can bring to the town so we can contribute to making the area a centre of excellence.”

APCOA has already brought 16 new jobs to the town centre, including two apprenticeships and bosses say they plan to bring a further 14 new jobs through 2020.

Ms McKenna added: “Providing work opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds is really important to me, especially through apprenticeships.

“I truly believe that for a customer services office to be successful, you need a good range of people to make up the team.

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“We don’t just look at qualifications, we look at transferable skills and personality too as that makes a huge difference.”

Lauren Burgess, 20, from Standish is one of the current apprentices on the team.

She said: “I’m doing my level 3 qualification in business administration working here.

“The job was a great opportunity to build my confidence, meet new people and learn more about business development.”

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APCOA was also keen to re-use an existing building instead of moving to a modern business park so they could do their bit in bringing vacant buildings back into use.

Before occupying in November, the Meeks Building had been vacant for five years.

Coun David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council, said: “This is another great example of companies choosing Wigan for their business operations.

“We have a long-standing relationship with APCOA and welcome their new base, which not only benefits them and our local economy, but also breathes life into an otherwise vacant building in the heart of our town centre.

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“We have great opportunities for investment, quality connections, a prime location next to the M6 and the right attitude to help businesses succeed and expand.

“Through our hopeful Future High Streets bid and long-term ambitions for Wigan town centre, we will continue to look at how we can bring forward more central opportunities for employment and investment.”

Wigan Council launched it Strategic Regeneration Framework last year, which outlines short, medium and long-term ambitions for the vibrancy and continued development of the town centre.

It is a 10-year plan, which looks at how the authority will create more leisure, culture, business and residential opportunities.

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This week, the council cabinet gave the green light for officers to submit a full business case to the Future High Streets Fund, which complements the council’s SRF and would reduce funding pressures.

For more information on business support in the borough, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/businesssupport and for more information about APCOA Parking UK Ltd please contact [email protected]