Online retailer says Peterborough's skilled workforce attracted firm into city

A director with a pre-loved clothing retailer says a pool of skilled staff was the clinching factor as the firm looked at a move to Peterborough.
Patatam's Agnieszkq Gluch at work with Eric Gagnaire, a founder of the firm, Peterborough City Council leader Coun John Holdich,Mathieu Bidart,a founder,  Michael Dunn of the DTI, Tom Hennessy of Opportunity Peterborough, and Marieve Bidart of Patatam.Patatam's Agnieszkq Gluch at work with Eric Gagnaire, a founder of the firm, Peterborough City Council leader Coun John Holdich,Mathieu Bidart,a founder,  Michael Dunn of the DTI, Tom Hennessy of Opportunity Peterborough, and Marieve Bidart of Patatam.
Patatam's Agnieszkq Gluch at work with Eric Gagnaire, a founder of the firm, Peterborough City Council leader Coun John Holdich,Mathieu Bidart,a founder, Michael Dunn of the DTI, Tom Hennessy of Opportunity Peterborough, and Marieve Bidart of Patatam.

Marion Duplain, business development manager UK of the France-based Patatam, said the firm considered several rival locations for its first UK hub,

Patatam has just moved into a 17,657 sq ft unit at Centurion Business Centre, in Bretton, following a £1.5 million investment.

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She said: “We looked at different locations for our first warehouse here.

Patatam, from left, founder Marieve Bidart, Mayor of Peterborough Coun Chris Ash, and Patatam's Eric Gagnaire and Mathieu Bidart.Patatam, from left, founder Marieve Bidart, Mayor of Peterborough Coun Chris Ash, and Patatam's Eric Gagnaire and Mathieu Bidart.
Patatam, from left, founder Marieve Bidart, Mayor of Peterborough Coun Chris Ash, and Patatam's Eric Gagnaire and Mathieu Bidart.

“We chose Peterborough because it has an available workforce with all the necessary skills we need.

“And Peterborough is also close to London and easy and quick to reach.”

Patatam, which has a base in south west France where it employs 30 people, has just recruited eight people in Peterborough.

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Ms Duplain said it was hoped to take on a further two staff by the end of the year with the workforce doubling within five years.

The company was created in 2003 and specialises in buying and selling second hand women’s and children clothes online.

Ms Duplain said: “We have moved into the UK because it is one of the largest markets and its e-commerce is huge.

“Also the UK has a big charity sector and customers are used to buying quality second hand clothes.

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She added: “We were not put off by Brexit. It’s just not an issue. But if there is a ‘hard’ Brexit than it will also be very good to have a base in the UK.”

Patatam will launch its UK website on September 17 at www.patatam.co.uk

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