A recruitment agency is doubling the size of its offices after a surge in the number of jobs being created in the area.

Berry Recruitment in Maidstone is taking over the former Daily Bread café next to its Pudding Lane offices and is looking to hire consultants.

The firm, which employs 190 people at 30 locations across the UK, is responding to an above average employment rate in Kent of 74.1%, as well as unemployment lower than the national average.

The latest outlook survey by REC Jobs showed 41% of employers have increased staff in the last year.

Berry aims to double its eight desks in Maidstone and add better facilities for candidates applying for jobs in the industrial, driving, commercial, catering, construction and engineering sectors.

The firm wants to to hire five or six extra staff initially – with up to eight new staff in total to fill the new space.

Regional sales director Jody Page, who manages the branch, said: “Since we moved to this location in 2001 we have grown every year.

“There are many jobs being created across Kent and there is certainly a buzz about the place at the moment..." - Jody Page, Berry Recruitment

“We realised that we’d have to move into bigger offices, but then the premises next door became available so we are knocking through.

“It means that we retain our presence on the street where people know us and where we benefit from good footfall.

“It also means we have room to bring in more consultants as well as having extra room for conducting interviews and training.

“There is now the opportunity for us to take on more business and the future is certainly going to be busy for us.”

The latest REC Jobs outlook survey also showed 80% of employers said economic conditions are getting better and none of them had reduced staff pay in the last 12 months.

Ms Page said: “There are many jobs being created across Kent and there is certainly a buzz about the place at the moment.

“It’s also an exciting time to be a recruitment consultant and we can offer fantastic career opportunities at Berry Recruitment.

“We anticipate that the new premises will be completed in the autumn and until then we are open and it’s business as usual.”

Berry Recruitment had a turnover of more than £56m this year.