A RECRUITMENT agency office in Gillingham is to close this month.

Octopus Personnel, in the High Street, is pursuing a ‘more mobile and proactive’ way of working in response to the cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of Covid-19.

Instead of having a fixed office the firm, founded by Sandra Smart, will instead host pop-up locations in Gillingham and Shaftesbury to help people in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire find jobs.

Octopus Personnel Office. Photo: Google

The firm has also announced a new head office, in Radstock.

“I am excited about this next phase in Octopus Personnel’s journey,” said Octopus owner and director Sandra.

“With new challenges facing workers and employers following the pandemic and cost of living crisis, we’re on a mission to find new ways of reaching people and matching them with the jobs they want.

“While we have made fantastic memories on Gillingham High Street, we are excited about the new opportunities ahead, and we will continue to be part of Gillingham and the local area.”

The pop-up locations reflect the firm’s close ties with Gillingham and Shaftesbury town councils. People looking for work and employers looking for staff will be able to visit Octopus team members at:

• Gillingham: Chantry Community Office, Chantry Fields, Gillingham (next to Gillingham Library), Tuesday afternoons between 1.30pm and 5.30pm and Wednesday mornings between 9am and 1pm.
• Shaftesbury: On Thursday, March 3, and every third Thursday from then in the Mayor’s Parlour at Shaftesbury Town Hall, between 11am and 2pm.

New pop-ups will be announced in the Spring 2023 said the firm, which recently celebrated its 15th anniversary.