The local independent company has built up a worthy reputation in the Peterborough area over the years for providing quality office-based personnel, both permanent and temporary.

It has a solid candidate base – which has been added to significantly in recent months as people register their CVs because of job uncertainty.

And the client base is impressive – built up by years of personal contact and first class service – including the public and private sector, global businesses to small start-ups.

ACR has broadened its reach by opening a new satellite office earlier this year at Tyndall Court, Lynch Wood, Peterborough. It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

"It's an ideal location for people coming from outside of Peterborough, and gives us a presence in the business park," said owner Anne Corder.

"It also provides us with more space. There are four rooms here – all kitted out differently – which companies can use for assessment sessions."

The Tyndall Court site is not only about extra space, but also about ACR's aim of becoming a "paperless office".

Gone are the days when CVs, for example, were provided in hardcopy paper format. Now 95 per cent of them are sent in via e-mail or job site. The recruitment industry is driven by and along the e-commerce route.

Which is a far cry from the early days, in 1995, when Anne set up her business at 4 Park Road, Peterborough.

When I visited Park Road – now numbers 4 and 6 to accommodate the expanded business – I was met by recruitment consultant Karen Dykes and immediately felt at ease in the welcoming surroundings.

Light modern decor with an open feel, ACR has a reception area, lounge with soft furnishings, an IT suite, and two upper floors, which include three interview rooms, to accommodate a total of 16 staff.

"The company has grown greatly over the years; when I joined in 1999 there were five of us," said Karen.

What hasn't changed is the commitment to providing a quality service. From the start, ACR has aimed for, and achieved, accreditation by the governing body – the Recruitment and Employment Confederation – and ISO quality assurance.

The agency's remit covers a wide cross section of sectors, from HR to marketing, account management to analysts and IT to accounts.

The company has a strong presence in both the permanent and temporary market, as well as procuring interim roles. That is fixed-term contracts, usually at senior level.

The front office IT suite, a high-ceilinged light room, is what Karen described as an "added value facility".

It is used for the computer assessment of candidates. Jobseekers can also use online training packages to sharpen their IT skills.

"We have had a good uptake from returners to work," said Karen, who also pointed out ACR's referral system with the learning zone at the local library.