Saga to open new offices in Ashford and Sandwich after closing head office in Sandgate, near Folkestone
10:41, 21 March 2023
updated: 12:59, 21 March 2023
Saga has confirmed plans to open two new office spaces following the closure of its main headquarters.
The over-50s travel and insurance giant shut its head office at Enbrook Park in Sandgate, near Folkestone last week.
The decision came after the number of workers using the site fell significantly amid a shift towards working from home since the start of the pandemic.
Announcing the decision to shut the office last month, the company revealed the site – designed and built to accommodate around 1,000 employees – was only seeing approximately 120 people use the office more than twice a week, with overall usage sitting at approximately 17%.
Saga chief executive Euan Sutherland confirmed the final day would be Friday, March 17 in an email sent to Sandgate councillor Tim Prater (Lib Dem) and seen by KentOnline.
He said the business will now "operate from a number of smaller office hubs with colleagues also able to work from home" which would include a current base in central London and two in Kent.
The firm has now confirmed to KentOnline the two hubs will be located in Discovery Park, Sandwich, and Eureka Business Park in Trinity Road, Ashford.
A company spokesman said: “As part of a wider investment to support Saga’s business growth and reflecting our successful transition towards hybrid working, the decision has been made to close our Enbrook Park office.
"Saga will open two new hubs in Ashford and Sandwich, complementing our London Kings Cross office and reflecting our ongoing commitment to Kent, where the majority of our colleagues live.
"We are still considering options for the future of the Enbrook Park site.”
The company has not confirmed when the new offices will be up and running.
In 2021 Saga applied successfully for 'prior approval' to convert the main building at Enbrook, which enjoys prime views over the village and English Channel, into around 60 flats.
Other properties, including the former HQ in the centre of Folkestone – Bouverie House – were also put up for sale as the impact of the pandemic reduced the need for office space.
The company has been unable to comment on the future of those satellite offices which went on the market, but says "discussions" remain ongoing.
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