Phoenix IT expands London business continuity capacity

IT services company Phoenix IT Group has acquired a 100,000-square-foot business continuity centre south west of London in Farnborough in Hampshire to provide emergency work space for 1,450 people.

Phoenix said the move had been driven by strong demand from City institutions for facilities located out of town and would substantially extend and complement the Group's London business recovery strategy.

"This addition leaves us with a very strong portfolio of business continuity centres and good coverage in the important south east region," said Nick Robinson, chief executive of Phoenix IT Group.

Phoenix already has facilities serving the City in Sevenoaks, Wycombe, Uxbridge, Old Street and Wapping. This is in addition to the Romford site to the east, which Phoenix acquired as part of the ICM Computer Group transaction.

The Farnborough site, due to become operational in September 2007, takes Phoenix IT's total business continuity capacity for the inner and outer London market to more than 7,000 seats.

Business continuity centres have been in the news in recent weeks as many companies in flood-hit areas have been forced to relocate their business to alternative premises.

Phoenix IT said the Thames Valley facility was being used by customers affected by the flooding and the Bristol facility was on standby.

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