Online electrical retailer, AO.com has officially opened its new office space in Manchester city centre.
It’s taken 6 floors of the recently refurbished, Baskerville House, which is part of Bruntwood’s Riverside office complex.
In total 220 staff will make the move, with the office space designed to be “creative and inspiring” with areas dedicated to collaborative working.
“AO Manchester” will be home to its multimedia team, its IT operations and sales.
“Manchester has become a hub of digital talent and as an online retailer we need to ensure that we have direct access to these skills. Having a presence here is really important to us, particularly following our partnership with the Northern Powerhouse earlier this year,” explained Michael Bates, group customer, brand and people director.
“AO Manchester reaffirms our commitment to investing in Northern talent, offering our employees an office full of outstanding facilities, creative inspiration as well on a practical level, brilliant transport links.”
The office also features an onsite Starbucks and a subsidised canteen, complete with pizza oven.
It’s all a long way from the company’s roots, as it was founded by John Roberts, following a £1 bet in a Bolton pub.