Warm welcome to work for restaurant team

By Margaret Crosby

Last updated 11:48, Friday, 10 October 2008

THIRTY new employees started work at the United Utilities (UU) call centre at Whitehaven this month.

Cutting edge: From left, Linda Mackie, Rodger Leggatt, John Hayes, Peter Lycholat, Mark Hetherington, Jackie Luczynka and Peter Rowbottom

All employees at the new restaurant facilities were recruited from Whitehaven and the surrounding area, following a good response to two open days held in August and at the Whitehaven Jobs Fair in September.

Peter Rowbottom, head of customer care at UU, said: “We’re delighted to receive our new starters and pleased that we now have a really welcoming work environment for all our employees, including our brand new restaurant area and deli bar.

“We have a terrific team of motivated staff here at Whitehaven and UU recognises the importance of providing people with a good work-life balance. Employee satisfaction is very important to us.’’

The design of the new restaurant facilities is based on feedback and suggestions from staff.

Mr Rowbottom said United Utilities was now one of the largest employers in Whitehaven.

Mr Rowbottom and Peter Lycholat, director of customer operations, cut a ribbon to mark the official opening of the new restaurant on Wednesday.

n Last month the Whitehaven call centre was shortlisted in the UK’s Top 50 Call Centres for Customer Service. A member of the Whitehaven team, Vicky Bigrigg, 29, of Cleator Moor was also shortlisted at the European Call Centre Awards, as one of the top seven customer service advisors across all contact centres in Europe.