Philbins Offices, Wigan
Working In The Borough - Case Studies - Totesport
Totesport is one of the UK’s largest betting organisations. With headquarters in South London, it was one of the pioneers in the rise of telephone betting in the mid-eighties and operated a string of call centres across the country. However, by the late 1980s technological advances meant that it was much more efficient to operate one single call centre, accessible nationwide through local call rates. Tote began the search for potential sites.
The company considered a number of different sites before deciding to move to Wigan. The two primary reasons for choosing Wigan were a reliable and available workforce from which to recruit and the flexibility and willingness of Wigan Council, who assisted them in every possible way to help them find the premises which best suited their requirements.
The initial investment has had a good return. The Wigan operation now handles calls for the whole country and its original complement of 120 staff has risen to over 600. To accommodate its growth, the company acquired the freehold of the site and has built another 20,000 sq. ft. satellite building to add to the existing 35,000 sq. ft.
The site at Tote Park is located just on the edge of Wigan Town Centre and the company acknowledges the excellent communications with the M6 and other major motorway networks. Coupled with the direct rail link to London and a business – friendly Wigan Council, it has given the company the flexibility and support to thrive.
Joe Scanlon, Managing Director at Tote Sport would recommend Wigan as a business location saying:
"Wigan has a lot to offer both from a business perspective and just as importantly from the people working for it."