Firm says up to 45 new posts will be created in its customer support centre

Virgin Trains says up to 45 new posts will be created in its customer support centre.

The company already has around 85 staff at the centre, which is based in Virgin Money’s Newcastle headquarters, who handle services such as ticket bookings.

Claire Ansley, general manager for Virgin Trains on its East Coast Main Line route, said the changes come after bosses chose to bring its web support team back in-house.

She added: “We’re really pleased to bring around 45 more jobs to Newcastle.

“We’re recruiting now and see this move as very important to further improving customers’ experience of travelling with us.”

Councillor Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, added: “It is great that staff who know and use the East Coast Main Line can continue to have a stake in its future, and contribute to our city’s success at the same time.”

Virgin operates East Coast services under the Inter City Railways banner in a joint venture with Stagecoach Group.

The duo are due to use rolling stock made at Hitachi Rail Europe’s factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, from 2018.

Hitachi is also making trains for the Great Western route and last month confirmed its intention to bid for work to make 225mph rolling stock for the high-speed HS2 link.