Co-op call centre to create 50 new jobs

Up to 50 jobs are on their way to Walsall with the opening of a call centre for Co-operative Energy. The centre is to open towards the end of this month.

The new domestic gas and electricity supplier run by The Midcounties Co-operative has built up a customer base of more than 20,000 since its launch last year.

The call centre is to open in the society's offices in Bloxwich Road.

The new jobs will be in addition to the existing customer service hub at its headquarters in Warwick and will mark the start of significant investment by the society in the town.

Future plans include use of unoccupied offices in Hatherton Road as a funeral directors, growing the Co-op Travel business that is headquartered at the Walsall Waterfront, and the opening of a food store in 2013 in the Old Square shopping centre.

Chief executive Ben Reid said: "Walsall has traditionally been a core area for Midcounties so we're delighted to be investing and further strengthening our presence in the town."

He added:?"The call centre in Bloxwich Road will have a key role to play in supporting the growth of Co-operative Energy.

"At this stage we can't say exactly how many jobs will be available but if it continues to grow at the current rate it could be as many as 50."