UTP Merchant Services, a leading credit and debit card payment solutions specialist, has expanded its Hastings branch creating fifty new jobs in the area in order to support business growth.

Supported by Locate East Sussex and backed by a 'Growth Capital Funding’ grant from East Sussex Council, the expansion will see UTP Merchant Services recruit 50 new telesales staff, to be based on another floor of their current Ocean House branch in St. Leonards-on-Sea.

This takes the overall staff total to approximately 130 when combined with the company’s Operations Centre location in Reading.

UTP Merchant Services offers a range of market leading credit and debit card payment solutions including fixed/countertop, portable (using Bluetooth technology) and mobile credit card machines.

As the number of customers that carry cash dwindles and a greater reliance on fast card payments for a variety of retail and leisure facilities such as shops, restaurants, bars and cafes increases, UTP’s services have seen an explosion in demand. The firm has partnered with a number of resellers as a result of this interest, helping to spread the word about its innovative technology called ‘Faster Processing’.

UTP Merchant Services is the only UK company to offer payments to merchants within hours and not days. This speed has seen its payment services being picked selected over more conventional card payment methods by firms around the country.

Traditionally, credit card processing can take up to three business days to deposit cleared funds in the merchant account, a delay which Britain’s small businesses often cite as a cause of cash flow problems. Better transaction reporting and greater fraud detection additionally makes it easier for merchants to stay on top of their sales. 

Head of Marketing at UTP, Paul Lamb, said "We're thrilled to be able to create more job opportunities in the Hastings area. This is something that’s really been driven by the growth of our partner program but the expansion of our existing team is a testament to the success of our service offerings.

“Hopefully, we'll be able to continue to offer more roles in the future and help support the local economy as popularity with retailers across the UK continues to grow.”