One of the North-East’s largest employers has moved its HQ to Cobalt Business Park.

Metering and data management company AccuRead has moved more than 300 of its staff to a state-of-the-art office at Cobalt. AccuRead also employs a further 2,500 men and women around the UK in metering and associated services.

The company has taken 30,000 sq ft (2,787 sq m) with an option on a further 10,000 sq ft (929 sq m). Newcastle United legend Peter Beardsley performed an opening ceremony at the company's new office, welcoming employees to Cobalt.

Joan Walmsley, AccuRead’s director of support services, said: “We had run out of space at our previous offices and went through a complete re-location process. We looked at three business parks in the area, but we really liked the community feel of Cobalt.

“It has travel co-ordinators ready to help with travel plans and they have had open days for our staff so that they can get to know Cobalt. They are really organised, and we liked the way they looked after us. The transport links are also excellent. As well as all our metering activities, we have set up a company called UK Debt and Legal Services - a debt management company. This is a major step for us, so it is a great time to be moving to a new HQ,” she added.

Scott Ashall of Highbridge Business Park Limited, developers of Cobalt, said: “We have worked very hard to make Cobalt as attractive as possible for our occupiers. That includes employing travel co-ordinators to draw up bespoke travel plans for staff, significant investment in transport infrastructure and also the creation of a Cobalt Community, with open days for the more than 8,500 people on site and special leisure and shopping offers.

“We are delighted that those benefits together with the high quality of the office accommodation led to AccuRead selecting Cobalt for its new headquarters,” he added.

AccuRead was founded in the 1960s with 900 former British Gas staff. Now employing around 3,000 people nationwide their customers include Scottish Power, E.on, British Gas, National Grid and edf Energy.