A growing hunger for faster internet speeds has led a communications firm to move into the city – and launch a fresh recruitment drive.

BT Local Business, which helps 91,000 small firms across Norfolk and Suffolk and trades as Unified Comms Ltd, has moved into a Victorian house on Unthank Road.

A £74,000 overhaul, backed by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership's Growing Business Fund, has seen the former RAF Careers Office transformed into a new call centre, (pictured).

And managing director Nathan Defew said the new home would help the business, which currently employs 22 people, expand – increasing the team to 35 in the next 18 months.

Mr Defew said: 'It's about visibility – we want to be visible to our customers.

'We've already taken on some new staff from Norwich and we are looking to carry out further recruitment.

'The growing demand and availability of fibre broadband and higher speed services are among the major factors driving our need for new staff and office space.

'As we emerge from the economic downturn, more and more small businesses are recognising the importance of using high-speed communications and information technology even more effectively to help them retain customers and remain competitive, here and internationally.'

BT Local Businesses are an independently-owned and operated companies licensed to trade exclusively in products and services provided by BT. There is a network of 40 BT Local Businesses across the UK which each covers its own local area.

Unified Comms Ltd, which has a franchise agreement with BT, is run by Mr Defew along with fellow directors Mike Kenny, Christopher Hilton and Neil Frost. Mr Defew said he hoped to grow last year's company turnover of £1m by 15pc this year, and increase BT's business to business market share, which is 40pc nationally, in the region.

The firm, which was previously based near Norwich International airport, has named its new home Dragon House to coincide with the Norwich Dragon Festival.

Are you planning an expansion? Call Sabah Meddings on 01603 772879 or email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk