THEATRE OPERATOR RELOCATES TO RIVERSIDE SUNDERLAND
.An international theatre operator has expanded its North East presence after taking space in the heart of Riverside Sunderland.
Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and its 57-strong team have moved into a 2,400 sq ft office at The Yard.
The company has three national bases in the UK and previously worked out of Sunderland’s Empire Theatre.
The move will bring together its contact centre and group bookings teams under one roof, and has created three jobs.
Cate Gordon, business manager for ATG Tickets, said: “We had been searching for a new space for quite some time however we knew we’d found the perfect place as soon as we were shown around The Yard.
“We had outgrown our space within the theatre, and we wanted to remain within close proximity to it so that our staff didn’t feel separated from the rest of the company, and you can’t get much closer than the street almost immediately behind it.
“Another key motivator was being able to improve the wellbeing of our team, which is something we are really focusing on as a business and it ticked all the boxes on that front too.”
The Yard opened its doors earlier this year following Hanro Group’s 3.5m redevelopment of the former Gilbridge Police Station.
The redevelopment forms part of Riverside Sunderland, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs and has already secured relocations from Ocado, Asset 55 and North East Screen, with RSA to follow in 2024.
ATG was introduced to and shown around The Yard by the Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for dynamic city at Sunderland City Council, said: “The decision by ATG to continue investing in Sunderland city centre with the opening of a new, dedicated contact centre is fantastic news for the city.
“As a business which operates 38 venues across the UK, it could have chosen absolutely anywhere to open its contact centre, so the fact that it has chosen to continue investing in Sunderland is testament to the city’s unrivalled offering and we are delighted that they are continuing to invest here.”
