CARPHONE Warehouse Networks officially opened their new head office in Irlam last week creating a further 130 jobs, which they claim will make them one of the largest employers in the area.

Over the past two years the company HQ has doubled its number of employees to 470 which is expected to rise to 600 before the end of the year, a figure they believe makes them the largest employer in Irlam with potential for further growth and more jobs in the future.

The business has been based in Irlam since 1981 and due to recent expansion, has outgrown its old home in Brinell Drive and moved across the road to Northbank House, in Siemens Road.

The company is responsible for building and operating the network infrastructure that TalkTalk, AOL Broadband and Opal Telecom customers use, covering 70 per cent of UK households - all of which is orchestrated from the purpose-built, £10m Siemens Road head office and operations centre in Irlam.

Alongside the high-tech operations centre within the building are gym facilities and a restaurant for employees.

Managing director of The Carphone Warehouse Networks, Neil McArthur, who is based at the Irlam HQ said: "We first began trading in Irlam in 1981 and now employ over 470 employees here and over 4000 people across the north west.

"We’re going from strength to strength and I’m particularly proud of our talent for engineering excellence and innovation."

Charles Dunstone, CEO, The Carphone Warehouse Group added: "Our people in the north west have helped to transform our business."