A TELECOMS company has announced a £1m plan to move to larger premises to cope with its expansion.

Russell Telecom, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in the region earlier this year, has invested in a 6,500sq ft building at the Watermark office complex, in Gateshead, near the MetroCentre.

Russell is planning a recruitment drive that will increase employee numbers from 33 to 43 by next August.

By increasing sales capacity, it is expected that annual turnover will also be boosted from £3.5m to £4m in the next 12 months.

Kelvyn Gracie, joint managing director, said: "We have found ourselves outgrowing the premises we are in for a long time now, and knew that to progress our expansion plans, we would have to invest in somewhere larger.

"The new premises will enable us to recruit new sales people to further boost our reputation in the North-East and help us achieve our target turnover figures for 2005.

"It is a very encouraging time for us because investing in the business in this way shows we expect to continue with our ambitious growth plans, heighten awareness of Russell Telecom in the North-East and, ultimately, increase our market share, which is obviously good news for everyone."

Published: 17/08/2004