Firm on a roll as new HQ work begins

Work is under way on a £6million company HQ which is odds on to bring 80 new jobs to the banks of the River Wear.

Construction has started on the new building which willhousegaminggiantTombola at Wylam Wharf in Sunderland as the firm expands.

The project will take 56 weeks to complete and is expected to create 80 new software development roles.

The firm’s chief operating officer Phil Cronin said: “We’re thrilled to be on site and it’s exciting to see construction of our new head office beginning.

“We’re working with a very talented design team from the North East, including Ryder Architecture and Brims Construction.

“We are two years into our five year 2020 strategy and are on target to double our turnover and our technology team.

“The construction of our new HQ is an important element of our plans for future growth and further international expansion.”

International design practice Ryder Architecture has created a unique riverside campus for Tombola.

The proposals unify the current listed building with a new 25,000sqft office development, including innovative external landscaping proposals which reinforce the local character of Wylam Wharf.

Open plan offices located on its first and second floors will incorporate a three-storey central atrium and make pioneering commercial use of electrochromic glass externally to control comfort for workers and achieve energy efficiencies.

The ground floor will include a reception area, cafe andagymforemployeeswith a central feature staircase leading to the open plan upper floors.

Ronnie Graham, director at award winning Ryder Architecture, said: “It’s great to see our vision for Tombola campus beginning to take shapeinthisuniqueriverside location.

Brims’ director, Richard Wood added: “We see it as a landmarkprojectforSunderlandaswellastheNorthEast.”

Founded in 2000, tombola.co.uk is the largest bingo site in the UK, with more players than any other company.