UP to 900 people could eventually work at Saga’s new call centre in Thanet, it has been revealed.

Company chairman Roger de Haan told guests at the official opening that the impressive new building could be extended to take between 750 and 900 employees.

More than 200 already work at Saga’s Thanet Office on Eurokent Business Park, Haine Road, Ramsgate. Another 400 are likely to join over the next two years with the phenomenal sales growth of Saga’s financial services.

Together with its holidays and media operations, including a new radio station, Folkestone-based Saga has grown by 29 per cent a year for the past five years.

The firm was ranked 98th in The Sunday Times latest list of top100 privately owned companies, with £400m turnover and 3,500 staff. The over-50s success story that has become a Kent flagship company has invested £6.5m in the new call centre.

Saga plumped for Thanet after being offered financial carrots and assessing that the local workforce had the skills it needed.

The unusual building has an indoor garden and dramatic design features to keep staff happy.

Mr De Haan said: “We were encouraged to build our new offices here and we’re delighted to be here. We are very ambitious, we’re growing fast and we hope to fill this place as quickly as possible.”

He praised architects Pringle Richards Sharratt for creating a fine building that can easily be extended.

“Whether that will be right for us here, I’m not sure,” Mr De Haan said, “but we have the capacity to employ between 750 and 900 people on this site.”

While many firms have shifted call centre operations to India to save money, Saga has stayed loyal to Kent. Mr De Haan said: “There are many opportunities within Britain to expand our business before we have to consider Bangalore. We’re happy to be here and we’re getting the skills, enthusiasm and commitment from staff.”

While some call centres have been condemned as “sweatshops,” Mr De Haan said he was determined that things would be different in Thanet. He stresed: “We’re working very hard at trying to make work in the call centre positive.”

Employee Michelle Wallace, 20, from Ramsgate, said it was a great place to work. “It’s just like one big happy family here,” she said.

Cllr Bill Hayton, chairman of Thanet council, said the official opening was a great occasion for east Kent. “Thanet District Council is very proud to be able to welcome such a successful company to the area,” he added.