Pictured: Andrew Barrow and Claire Pigeon

Staffordshire-based insurance broker AMB Insurance is renovating its newly purchased offices in Wolstanton before moving to the area, creating local jobs and restoring an important building to its former glory in the process.

AMB Insurance, an independent commercial insurance broker currently located in Stone in Staffordshire, will move to Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme as soon as the restoration project is completed later in the year.

The move enables the firm to employ more staff in both the short and long-term, hiring local trades people to work on the building's renovation before recruiting new insurance employees once the office is ready.

Some of the office space within the refurbished building will also be let to local businesses, supporting start-up companies and small firms looking to secure their first office. 

Claire Pigeon, managing director at AMB Insurance said: "We're excited at the prospect of moving to our new location. This building has so much history, and we're pleased to have this opportunity to renovate it and support the local community too."

The company purchased the landmark Victorian building in the centre of Wolstanton largely because of its history. Many of the original features are intact, and the building has had some famous owners in the past including the nineteenth-century local architect Absalom Reade Wood who is famed for designing Tunstall Civic Centre and Town Hall, among many others.

"The house was originally part of the Watlands Estate and Mr James Wain is thought to have been the first named owner," Claire Pigeon explained. "The building was then sold to architect Mr Wood in 1878. After his death, and subsequent deaths of his wife and son, the building was bought by Staffordshire County Council - before being sold to us.

"A building like this one deserves to be looked after, and we are employing local tradespeople to restore it to its former grandeur. It's great to be able to invest in the local community even before moving here, especially given the history of the house."

The company is using all local trade and crafts people to work on renovating the building, which has created a number of jobs in the local area. And when the work is done, still more jobs will be created - this time, insurance positions within the firm.

"Because of the nature of the building, giving back to the local community doesn't stop when the refurbishment ends," Claire Pigeon commented. "Once ready, we'll be recruiting more staff and looking to let office space to new businesses in the area so that they can enjoy the light, features and history of this building too."

The restoration project is progressing well and the firm hopes to move into their new premises in September.