Yellow Pages 118 24 7 to expand with new multi million pound UK call centre backed by the Welsh Assembly Government

Yellow Pages 118 24 7 to expand with new multi million pound UK call centre backed by the Welsh Assembly Government - Yell, the international directories business, today announced plans for a new multi million pound call centre in the UK to expand its award winning Yellow Pages 118 24 7 service.
Yell’s investment in a new centre in Newport, Gwent, could see the creation of more than 250 jobs phased over the next four years, potentially almost doubling the number of full time advisors for the service.

The expansion from its existing call centre in Bristol reflects substantial growth in the volume of calls to 118 24 7, particularly in the last year. This is on the back of a strong reputation for overall service quality built up in the three years since its launch in the UK.

The new 118 24 7 call centre is in Newport’s city centre area, which has been earmarked for a major regeneration programme supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. Yell’s investment has received grant aid from the Assembly, and support from the Assembly’s International Business Wales team.

John Condron, chief executive of Yell, said: “I’m delighted that the success of Yellow Pages 118 24 7 means that we need a second call centre to expand our future call handling capability and to grow further the service through the recruitment of a new pool of talented, motivated people based in Wales.

“Our existing call centre team has worked extremely hard to develop the UK service in the last three years and we’re very much looking forward to further development from our Newport site. As a reputable and responsible company we’re very pleased to be playing a part also in the regeneration of the region.”

Yell will be the first company to move into Usk House, a new £3.5 million office development on the 4.6 acre George Street site in Newport. The area has been specifically earmarked as a strategic site to attract major new business to the city centre.

Andrew Davies, Welsh Assembly minister for enterprise, innovation and networks, described the investment and new jobs as excellent news for Newport and an early indication that the city centre regeneration strategy was producing tangible results.

“Newport is being promoted as a premier location for business and the decision by a company of Yell’s calibre and world-class reputation to locate a new operation in the city centre is a resounding vote of confidence.

“Newport has for some time been at the vanguard of developments in what is a thriving and dynamic contact centre industry which now employs more than 24,000 people across Wales.

“The city is a recognised and well established hub of excellence in this sector offering a superb communication infrastructure and a high quality, skilled and adaptable workforce which was one of the deciding factors in Yell’s choice of location.”

Calls to Yellow Pages 118 24 7 are expected to be handled on site as early as April.

Since deregulation of the UK’s 192 directory enquiry service in 2003, Yellow Pages 118 24 7 has established itself as one of the principal 118 providers in terms of service quality and brand.

Yellow Pages 118 24 7 remains the only UK 118 service that offers detailed information on local businesses. For example, householders who lock themselves out of a car at night can obtain details of a nearby locksmith that takes credit cards, offers a 24 hour emergency call out and even specialises in the particular make of car involved.

In September last year, it was named the “Best UK Service” in the 2006 International Directory Assistance Awards – the third year running it has secured the title. This was amongst a clutch of other awards including “Best Training and Development Culture”.