JOB prospects for Bolton have improved with the opening of a second office in the town centre by Egerton-based Broker Direct.

The broker-owned insurance underwriting and services organisation opened the second office to cater for its ambitious expansion plans.

The new offices are situated in the former gas offices, now renamed Atria, which has been redeveloped into plush modern office space with a huge glass atrium.

The company is retaining its Egerton base and now employs a total of 270 employees across the two sites.

The official opening of the new Broker Direct saw the unveiling of a specially-commissioned portrait of the late Andrew Paddick, founder chairman of Broker Direct and Director General of the Institute of Insurance Brokers.

The event was attended by representatives from the Institute of Insurance Brokers, insurers, brokers, members from training companies and local authorities, giving Broker Direct the opportunity to showcase the new facilities as well as the local training, development and professional career opportunities offered by the company.

CEO Roy Green, who was born in Horwich but now lives in Yorkshire said: “We chose Egerton when we set up 11 years ago because we saw the old mill and thought it was ideal for our offices.

“But we wanted to have a presence on this side of town and these new offices in Atria are just a superb working space and it’s in a good position for the town centre.

“We are still recruiting service centre staff and there is a great career structure for those who want it.

“Most of our staff are local and are very involved in the local community and, as a company, we are long-standing supporters of Bolton Lads and Girls Club.”

The new office is part of the Atria facility, developed by Bruntwood, based in Manchester.

Mathew Duckworth, sales development surveyor for Bruntwood, said: “We bought the old British Gas and Coal Centre buildings in 2007 and have spent £5m refurbishing to a high level.

“Where the reception is now used to be the car park and we knocked a huge atrium into the building to let in light.

“We wanted to bring something new and exciting to Bolton and we think we have succeeded with this building which has been given a new lease of life.”